BREAKING NEWS: The Oroville City Council is set to make a pivotal decision today regarding new transparency standards aimed at enhancing accountability among elected officials. The councilors will convene at 4:30 PM in the Oroville City Council Chambers, located at 1735 Montgomery St., to discuss proposed amendments to their Elected Officials Guiding Principal Handbook.
The proposed changes, initiated by councilors Shawn Webber and Tracy Johnstone, aim to establish clear protocols for councilors on how they interact with city staff and handle public resources. Among the key provisions, no councilor will be allowed to give direction to staff independently; instead, all directives must be conveyed during scheduled meetings to ensure full council visibility. This move is designed to prevent potential misuse of authority and foster a collaborative environment.
Additionally, the guidelines will prohibit councilors and the mayor from drafting or negotiating contracts on their own. This measure seeks to create a more structured and equitable approach to municipal dealings. Crucially, the new rules will also protect city employees who refuse to comply with improper directives by offering them an anonymous reporting system to voice concerns directly to the city attorney and city administrator.
Violating these newly proposed guidelines could lead to severe repercussions, including public censure, referral to the Fair Political Practices Commission, loss of committee assignments, or a non-binding demand for resignation. This underscores the council’s commitment to maintaining ethical standards and safeguarding public trust.
In addition to the transparency discussions, the council will address several other pressing matters, including:
– An announced 4.7% increase in waste service fees by Recology, effective January 1, 2026.
– Land lease extensions for the Northwest Lineman College.
– A review of the Oroville Police Department’s annual military equipment use report.
– An application for a State Department of Housing and Community Development grant to support the city’s first-time homebuyer program.
– Approval of a $123,622 grant for a training session on tobacco inspections for the Oroville Police Department, organized by the Department of Justice.
Oroville residents are encouraged to attend the council meeting, which is free and open to the public. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live on Zoom and YouTube. Access links and the full agenda are available at cityoforoville.org.
Stay tuned for updates as this significant meeting unfolds, as the councilors’ decisions today could reshape governance in Oroville and set a precedent for other municipalities. The implications of these changes will resonate beyond the council chambers, impacting the city’s commitment to transparency and community trust.
