Council adopts housekeeping code supplements and updates financial-disclosure rules

The Fairfax City Council also adopted two largely procedural ordinances on Jan. 13.

City attorney Brian Lovekerman described a housekeeping ordinance to incorporate Municode printed supplements 16 through 26 into the City Code. Lovekerman said the supplements reflect ordinances already passed and that periodic incorporation is best practice; the council enacted the ordinance by unanimous roll call.

Lovekerman also presented amendments to Chapter 2, administration, to align the city's required financial disclosures with the Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act. The updates clarify who must file and the applicable deadlines (state deadline now Feb. 1), adjust the definition of immediate family to match the state definition, and update penalty language to reflect state enabling authority. Council discussed concerns raised previously about deputy filing requirements and concluded deputies will not be required to file unless acting in a prolonged, decision-making capacity. Council adopted the ordinance by unanimous vote.