City employees restricted on public comments

By order of the mayor of Hillsboro, all city employees have been ordered not to use the phrase "by order of the mayor of Hillsboro."

In a May 14 memo to all city department heads, Safety and Service Director Todd Wilkin wrote:

"Effective immediately, if any city employee feels the need to make a decree to the general public, it should be made on the behalf of 'The City Administration.'

"Employees should not use – with the general public – the following phrases to help enforce guidelines, rules or mandates:

"• By Order of the Mayor;

"• Direct Order from the Mayor's Office;

"• On Behalf of the Mayor;

"• Or any derivative of identifying the Mayor.

"All employees should consider the following phrase when addressing the general public "on behalf of the city administration."

While it is not clear if the memo is related to recent disciplinary action meted out by the city administration against the Hillsboro Police Department, the memo was dated just two days before a longtime police officer was suspended and demoted.

As first reported by The Highland County Press, in a letter dated May 16 Safety and Service Director Todd Wilkin instructed the city auditor that an officer was suspended from May 19-25 and demoted from sergeant to patrolman.

Wilkin told The Highland County Press Friday, May 31 that the memo became necessary after instances of some city employees – in more than one department – using the phrase "per the mayor" in situations where the mayor had no direct involvement.

Rather than cite a specific code for enforcement, these employees were misrepresenting the mayor, Wilkin said.

Wilkin said he first addressed the matter with the department heads, face to face. But after the pattern continued, he issued the citywide mandate.

Hillsboro City Council President Lee Koogler said he was not aware of the mandate.

"Administrative policy is enacted by the administration," Koogler said, clarifying that the city administration is inclusive of the mayor and safety/service director.

City council serves as a legislative body, he said.