| Advisory Opinion request of William Bradford, Shreveport City Attorney, regarding the ability of two members of the Shreveport City Council voting on a matter involving their private employer, Willis-Knighton Medical System. |
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Shreveport Councilman Jerry Bowman is employed by Willis-Knighton as the Director of Building Services, while Councilman Willie Bradford is employed by Willis-Knighton as the Project Neighbor Health Coordinator.
Recently, two zoning matters, SC-113-16 and SC-4-17, have come before the City Council for their review. These matters are appeals of previous denials of zoning applications filed by Timothy Larkin on behalf of Larking Development at Railsback, LLC. Mr. Larkin sought approval to develop residential developments in an area of Shreveport just south of Highway 3132. This potential development has caused much contention as it concerns an area that has historically been considered for extension of Highway 3132. As such, Willis-Knighton appeared at the appeals meetings to express its opposition to the developments. The appeals have since been denied by the City Council, with Councilman Bowman and Councilman Bradford abstaining from voting out of an abundance of caution.
Mr. Bradford asks for an advisory opinion regarding the ability of the Councilmen to vote on these zoning matters, as well as any general prohibitions on them voting on a matter involving Willis-Knighton.
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La. R.S. 42:1112B(3) prohibits a public servant from participating in a governmental transaction in which any person of which he is an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee has a substantial economic interest.
La. R.S. 42:1120 provides: If any elected official, in the discharge of a duty or responsibility of his office or position, would be required to vote on a matter which vote would be a violation of R.S. 42:1112, he shall recuse himself from voting. An elected official who recuses himself from voting pursuant to this Section shall not be prohibited from participating in discussion and debate concerning the matter, provided that he makes the disclosure of his conflict or potential conflict a part of the record of his agency prior to his participation in the discussion or debate and prior to the vote that is the subject of discussion or debate.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
David Bordelon |
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