Ferris City Manager Bill Jordan publicly censured by ICMA

FERRIS – The City of Ferris received notification early last week that the Executive Board of the International City Manager’s Association (ICMA) voted Feb. 9 to publicly censure City Manager Bill Jordan for violations of its code of ethics based upon the findings substantiated in The Bowman Report.

On April 2, 2018, The Bowman Group was retained by the Ferris City Council to conduct an independent review of eleven sexual harassment allegations involving Jordan.

On May 7, 2018, a 500+ page document was presented to the council in Executive Session, in which six of the eleven allegations were proven. Still in Executive Session, council members Bobby Lindsey, Clayton Hunter, Rick Barrett and then-councilman Jim Swafford voted to take no action against the city manager – and extend his contract.

(Read the Bowman Report here:  http://ferristxinfo.com/)

In its Feb. 9 ruling, The ICMA Executive Board determined City Manager Jordan’s conduct violated Tenet 3 of the ICMA Code of Ethics. This Tenet pertains to a member’s ethical obligation to uphold the public trust, maintain public confidence in their position and profession, and demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity.

The Executive Board concluded Jordan had a responsibility to set the appropriate tone for the City of Ferris, personally model good conduct, address other employee’s inappropriate conduct that could create a hostile work environment for all staff, and protect the organization from potential liability as a result of the inappropriate conduct. The Executive Board found Jordan created an environment in which employees, both female and male, were offended by his language and conduct and that of subordinate employees.

Jordan will not be suspended from the organization, and his ICMA credentials will not be revoked, but his censure will appear in all ICMA publications and newsletters. In addition, the Texas City Management Association Executive Board has been notified.

The ICMA also sent press releases to CBS 11 DFW, The Waxahachie Daily Light and The Ellis County Press.

When asked to comment on his public censure, Jordan replied, “This (release) is related to the Bowman Report that was conducted nearly a year ago and provides no new information other than the ICMA’s opinion. The city has already looked into this issue and has moved forward. Any opinion of the ICMA is separate from the city and has no bearing or impact on the city’s decisions and handling of the issue, nor will it deter the city’s continued strive toward a more positive community.”

When asked for his response concerning the ruling, Ferris Mayor Jim Swafford replied “no comment.”

The City of Ferris has not released an official statement concerning Jordan’s censure. There was also no agenda item concerning the ICMA’s ruling for the Feb. 25 Ferris City Council meeting although the censure was received by city officials well in advance of the meeting agenda deadline.