Bountiful Development News

City Code Amendments Proposed: Focus on Formatting, Governance, and Administrative Procedures

City Attorney Brad Jepson presented proposed amendments to city code sections one through four, focusing on updating and standardizing formatting, clarifying definitions, and adjusting administrative procedures. Key changes include standardizing numbering and indentation for consistency, updating the gender inclusivity language, clarifying the application of candidate filing fees to appointments, increasing the city manager's spending limit without council sanction from $10,000 to $20,000, and updating the method for publishing notices for the disposal of real property to align with state code. Additionally, Jepson proposed adding exceptions for professional services in the procurement code, modifying the hearing officer process for employee disciplinary appeals to shift the burden of proof to the employee and remove the hearing officer's ability to reduce discipline, and adjusting the term for Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) from two to five years. The council discussed these changes, providing direction on several points, including incorporating cost as a factor in professional services procurement and clarifying the role of the hearing officer in establishing appeal rules.