Englewood creates new guidelines after taxpayer money used for political signs

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — The city of Englewood is creating a new set of strict guidelines and requiring additional employee training after acknowledging that taxpayer money was used to purchase political yard signs supporting a parks and recreation bond on the ballot.

The city admits that $2,162 from the general fund was paid to create the signs. A spokesperson told FOX31 that council members launched an investigation within minutes of learning it happened.

One resident told FOX31 he was shocked to learn of the expenditure.

“At taxpayer’s expense, political signs? No, I disagree,” he said.

The city issued the following statement to FOX31:

“The City of Englewood takes compliance with state law and campaign ethics very seriously. Recent concerns have been raised regarding the use of city resources for signs related to a ballot measure.

With the goal of transparency and accountability, the city launched an investigation within minutes of learning about the expenditure on signs last week. The investigation report was presented to city council (presentation begins at 3:34:46) and the public during Monday night’s council meeting and concluded that the signs were created, paid for and distributed prior to city council approval of the ballot language. As such, the expenditure did not violate the Fair Campaign Practices Act. However, the city acknowledges that the signs were not an appropriate use of taxpayer funds and the expenditure has the propensity to erode trust in the city.

In response, the city has taken the following actions.

1. The city has reached out to the residents who requested the signs between May and July and asked them to return all signs; if signs could not be returned to the city, residents have been asked to reimburse the city for the cost of the signs.
2. The city has drafted new guidelines for staff that are even stricter than the Fair Campaign Practices Act, outlining what expenditures and activities are and are not appropriate with regard to ballot measures. Staff will be required to undergo training to comply with these guidelines.
3. The city has sent documentation of the expenditure to the outside legal firm of Hoffmann Parker Wilson & Carberry to verify the Englewood City Attorney’s Office finding that the Fair Campaign Practices Act was not violated.
4. The city is providing city council with weekly updates on the status of retrieving the signs.
5. Asked outside counsel to issue an opinion regarding the matter.

The city remains committed to transparency, legal compliance, and maintaining the public’s trust, and we apologize that this expenditure has caused legitimate concerns with members of the public.”

As noted in the city’s statement, any residents who requested the signs are asked to return them.

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