Muncie council revises Human Rights Commission terms amid conflict-of-interest questions

The Muncie Common Council on April 6 adopted Resolution 5-26 to update appointments and term dates for the Muncie Human Rights Commission, after commission members reviewed prior appointment records to correct which seats are mayoral and which are council appointments.

Gretchen Cheesman, speaking as a member of the Human Rights Commission and as director of community development, said the commission examined old council minutes and found inconsistent listings of who appointed certain members. The resolution revises terms so each position has a three-year term, restores the pattern of two mayoral appointments and one council appointment over the relevant seats, and corrects specific term dates (for example, revising Linda Mukway’s term to Jan. 1, 2025 through May 31, 2028 and designating a currently vacant seat to be mayoral).

During public comment and council discussion, speakers raised concerns that department heads (for example, a community development director) serving on the Human Rights Commission could create a conflict of interest if complaints implicate their own office. Commissioners and attendees said complaint investigations are typically handled by the commission’s director who investigates and then reports to the board; officials said the city attorney would flag any recusal needs and that commissioners could form small investigative committees rather than have the full board handle investigations.

Councilmembers asked whether the appointment tracking spreadsheet and records could be shared citywide; officials said a shared file is being maintained and the mayor’s office and clerk update it to reflect appointments. After discussion the council called the roll and adopted Resolution 5-26.