Coachella City Council approves anti-nepotism policy for city commissions

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — The Coachella City Council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism policy Wednesday night that limits who elected officials can appoint to city commissions and committees.

The policy prevents council members from appointing relatives to those positions. It also prevents one councilmember from nominating or appointing a relative of another councilmember.

The rules go beyond immediate family and include relatives such as aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and grandparents.

The policy also applies to people who are not related but live in the same household as an elected official.

Councilmember Denise Delgado led the effort.

“I think it’s much needed in the city and it’s unfortunate we have to address it because of some of the stuff that’s happened in our city’s history," said Delgado. “This is policy that I asked for in 2023. It did not come forward. It did not have the support.”

The policy received support from residents who spoke during Wednesday night’s meeting.

One resident said the policy could help address concerns about family members serving on city commissions.

“This is important because the community at large has made their own assumptions and we can’t fuel any assumptions by allowing our family to take commission positions regardless if they are the most qualified.”

But some residents said they want additional transparency when potential conflicts of interest involve city contracts or other financial interests.

The city attorney said existing conflict-of-interest rules still apply to commission and committee members.

“Just as with any of you if there is any potential conflict of interest, that applies to all committees. They would have to recuse themselves.”

Overall, residents who spoke at the meeting said they were optimistic about the new policy and the potential for more people to get involved in city government.

California also has conflict-of-interest laws for public officials. However, those laws do not automatically prohibit every type of relative from seeking or holding public office.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.