Editor’s note: This story is part of a series about what issues local elected officials may need to recuse themselves from during a vote. Read about York County’s Board of Supervisors here.
It’s not unusual for elected officials to have more than one job: State and local officials are attorneys, contractors, educators, and more.
So, when there’s a vote on a subject related to a city council or board of supervisors member’s “day job,” what happens?
Typically, the official is required to recuse themselves from the vote.
James City County adheres to the Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act to determine which instances require a Board of Supervisors member to recuse themselves, said Ania Eckhardt, Freedom of Information Act officer.
The Conflict of Interests Act covers voting on conflicts of interest, receipt of gifts and more.
That Act requires state and local elected officials to file a disclosure statement annually that shows their various interests that may present conflicts in a vote. That document, the Statement of Economic Interests, must be filed annually.
Eckhardt said there is no running list of issues members must recuse themselves on.
“Because each of those instances are fact-specific, there is no document or list of ‘issues’ that must be avoided by any particular board member,” Eckhardt wrote.
If a board member has questions about whether they should recuse themselves from an issue, they can seek an advisory opinion from the local commonwealth’s attorney or the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, Eckhardt said.
Here’s information from each supervisor’s 2018 Statement of Economic Interests, as well as their salary while serving on the board.
James O. Icenhour, chairman
Salary: $8,800 plus $2,000 as a member of the James City Service Authority.
Statement of Economic Interests:
- IRA account through Edward Jones
- Family member’s IRA account through Edward Jones
- Mutual funds through Edward Jones
- Mutual funds through Franklin Templeton
Michael J. Hipple, vice chairman
Salary: $8,200 plus $2,000 as a member of the James City Service Authority.
Statement of Economic Interests:
- President of Michael J. Hipple Builder, Inc.
- President of another self-named business
- Debt to banks, credit unions or other savings institutions
- Stocks in “Dominion direct”
- Owner of Michael J. Hipple Builder, Inc.
- Owner of a residential and commercial property in James City County
- Owner of land in James City County (Does not include principal address)
Ruth Larson
Salary: $7,000 plus $2,000 as a member of the James City Service Authority.
Statement of Economic Interests:
- COO of Cornerstone Hospitality in York County
- Employed in marketing by Cornerstone Hospitality
- Owner or family member is owner of Cornerstone Hospitality
- Cornerstone Hospitality owns commercial rental property in York County
John McGlennon
Salary: $7,000 plus $2,000 as a member of the James City Service Authority.
Statement of Economic Interests:
- 403-B plan through TIAA-CREF
- 403-B plan through NEA
- 403-B plan through Lincoln
- Trustee for mutual funds and IRA from Wells Fargo, CUNA and USAA
- Family member owns timeshare in S. Nags Head (Does not include principal address)
- Family member is trustee for condo in Newport News
Sue Sadler
Salary: $7,000 plus $2,000 as a member of the James City Service Authority.
Statement of Economic Interests:
- Employed by Boehringer Ingelheim Corp. (pharmaceuticals) in Connecticut
- Personal debt to Green Sky Credit
- Mutual funds through Fidelity Investments
- Mutual funds through Wells Fargo
- Mutual funds through Boehringer Ingelheim 401K
- Boehringer Ingelheim Reservoir Fund projected at age 67
- Silver and gold investments through Lear Capital
