Oxford Sets Nov. 10 Hearing on Ethics Rewrite Covering Gifts, Disclosure and Lobbyist Registration

OXFORD, MARYLAND — The Commissioners of Oxford will hold a public hearing Nov. 10 on Ordinance 2605. The ordinance would repeal and replace Chapter 13, "Ethics," of the town code, according to a notice posted on the town website.

Under the draft in the commissioners' Oct. 13 meeting packet, the chapter would apply to all Oxford elected officials, town employees, appointees to town boards and commissions, and lobbyists who must register with the town.

The draft bars officials from soliciting any gift and from accepting gifts from certain sources. Exceptions to the acceptance rule include unsolicited gifts of nominal value that cost no more than $25. Disclosure statements would list gifts worth more than $25, or a series of gifts totaling $100 or more, from certain sources. The draft says those sources include people doing business with the town or seeking to, and lobbyists.

With some exemptions, people who personally appear before town officials to influence them, and who spend or expect to spend money on food, entertainment or other gifts for those officials, would have to register as lobbyists. They would file by Jan. 15 each year, or within five days of an unplanned appearance, and report their spending within 30 days after the year ends.

The town's Ethics Council could charge late fees of $5 a day, up to $500, for late personal disclosure statements. Late lobbyist registrations or reports could draw $10 a day, up to $1,000.

Candidates would have to file a disclosure statement when they file for office and an update 10 to 15 days before the election. A candidate's certificate of candidacy would be void if the candidate failed to file a required disclosure statement on time, the draft says.

Commissioners meetings are held at 101 Market Street and streamed at townhallstreams.com. The notice does not list a start time. The ordinance's cover page lists 6 p.m. in the Oxford Town Meeting Room for the hearing.