The City of Soldotna will introduce an ordinance at their meeting on Wednesday that would expand and codify whistleblower protections within Soldotna, beyond the protections already afforded by the state.
The Alaska Whistleblower Act provides basic whistleblower protections through prohibition of retaliation by municipalities against any person who, in good faith, reports a “matter of public concern” or who participates in an investigation or other action regarding such. A “matter of public concern” is limited to:
- a violation of a state, federal, or municipal law, regulation, or ordinance;
- a danger to public health or safety;
- gross mismanagement, a substantial waste of funds, or a clear abuse or authority;
- a matter accepted for investigation by the office of the state ombudsman;
- interference or any failure to cooperate with an audit or other matter within the authority of Legislative Budget and Audit Committee…;
Jordan Chilson, Soldotna City Council Member, is introducing Ordinance 2020-003: “This ordinance I’m introducing would accomplish several goals. First off, it would combine all current whistleblower protections defined by the state, its statue, and city policy into a single legal framework. It’s also going to expand protections to include reporting on conflict-of-interest. It would streamline our reporting process and limit excessive damages. Lastly, it’s going to codify everything into law so that future modifications or repeal would require a majority support by our city council.”
He says that the ordinance strengthens the protections already defined by the state: “The state gives municipalities the ability to basically exempt themselves out of the state statue protections, which aren’t necessarily taking away protections, they’re exempting themselves out and defining everything locally. If they do that, whatever protections they define have to be as strong if not stronger than the state. That’s what we’re doing: we’re taking protections that are defining at both levels, combining them into one codified legal framework, and expanding it to streamline that process so it’s more efficient and transparent.”
The Soldotna City Council will introduce this ordinance at their meeting on Wednesday, February 12.
