CORTLAND — City council has advanced an ordinance that would prohibit nepotism or conflict of interest in city employment.

The ordinance was given a second reading Monday, with the third reading scheduled for Dec. 15.

Councilman John Picuri has said it is important to have a more transparent ordinance be in place to avoid nepotism.

Officials have said that the public trust requires an open, fair and transparent hiring process for all municipal positions; and public agencies are required to conduct all hiring activity in a fair, open and impartial manner.

Officials said they want to avoid giving preferences or advantages to family members by public officials, department heads or city employees, which is unfair to other applicants who may be as qualified or even more qualified.

The ordi

See Full Page