After a former Newark City Councilmember reportedly filed for bankruptcy last year, the current city council passed a financial stability rule for its members on Monday.
The Newark Post reported then-Councilwoman Dwendolyn Creacy filed for bankruptcy last February, before ultimately resigning her position after a DUI charge.
Council first discussed wanting to create rules requiring the mayor and council members to not be behind on their taxes or fees for two straight months.
The draft initially said the council member would then have 30 days to comply, or be removed from council, but that was eventually stretch to 60 days, with a clause that if the council member was on a payment plan with the city, that would be considered good standing.
Councilman Jason Lawhorn said he was concerned that someone who is in debt could vote on issues to help stabilize their finances.
“There are the considerations that if you’re in a bad financial situation, that you’re more vulnerable to being manipulated by external forces financially.”
Mayor Travis McDermott emphasized a scenario where being behind on your bills could keep you away from a clear mind in voting.
“If you’re in budget season and you have to vote on the electric rate… or taxes, and you’re delinquent on these things, can you give an unbiased evaluation of the situation if you’re in a financial situation, yourself?”
Lawhorn led most of the discussion on the topic, but was open to the idea of giving someone a chance to get caught up, especially if they were fighting hard for their district’s constituents.
“Being elected is a powerful thing, and I would hate to see someone that’s otherwise trying and in good standing, and doing all the right things, but can’t pay their bills, getting kicked out.”
City Solicitor Paul Bilodeau said Newark’s new rule mirrors rules from other cities in Delaware, but was not specific.
Creacy’s name was not brought up during Monday night’s council discussion.