Ferris City Manager Bill Jordan public censure published on ICMA and TCMA websites

FERRIS – The International City Manager’s Association has published on its website the news release concerning the public censure of Ferris City Manager Bill Jordan and two other city managers. 

In addition, the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) has published information concerning Jordan’s censure in its online newsletter, the “TCMA Management Messenger.”  

The ICMA voted Feb. 9 to publicly censure Jordan for violations of its code of ethics based upon the findings substantiated in The Bowman Report, a city authorized $10,500 outside investigation into multiple accusations of sexual harassment at city hall. 

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.

In a statement to The Ellis County Press published last week (Feb. 28), Jordan commented, “This is related to the Bowman Report that was conducted nearly a year ago... The city has already looked into this issue and has moved forward.”

But the question is, almost a year after the findings of the investigation were released – with still no official city statement or disciplinary action regarding the city manager – have the people of Ferris moved forward?

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, struggled to control his laughter when asked the question, replying, “Nowhere but Ferris would the guy (Jordan) not just be accused – but essentially be convicted of sexual harassment, and our city council, in their infinite wisdom – who used our (taxpayers’) money for the investigation – not fire him – but give him a raise – again with our money.”

And par for the course, the City of Ferris has yet to release an official statement concerning Jordan’s censure, and no mention has been made at either the Feb. 25 or March 4 City Council meetings.

The ICMA news release: https://icma.org/articles/article/icma-executive-board-issues-public-censures

The TCMA news release: https://tcmamanagementmessenger.org/public-censure/