Fairfax City Council Considers Adopting Code Of Ethics

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — City of Fairfax officials and council members on Tuesday debated whether the city should adopt a formal code of ethics, with the city attorney and several council members urging the panel to move forward while others urged caution about timing and enforcement.

City Attorney Brian Lubkeman opened the discussion by framing two related issues: a recent appointment controversy involving a council member’s immediate family and the broader question of whether the council should adopt an ethics code.

Lubkeman told the council that the member “acted completely appropriately under existing law and policies,” and said the appointment matter did not, in his view, require a different outcome if state conflict provisions had been formally adopted.

Lubkeman outlined key choices for the council, including whether to pursue a standalone document or incorporate ethics provisions into the city code, who would draft the policy, and whether the council wanted enforcement mechanisms such as censure, removal from committees or a hearing process. He said some jurisdictions make ethics rules “aspirational” while others include enforceable penalties.

City Manager Dan Alexander told the council ethics codes are “very prevalent” in public administration but noted that many Virginia localities still do not have formal written codes, leaving the decision to the council.

Council members generally expressed support for drafting a code, though they differed on urgency and scope.

Councilmember Stacey Hardy‑Chandler said the process of creating a code could be as valuable as the finished document and noted previous retreat discussions. “I think planning that seat around positive conduct expectations … is not a bad thing,” she said.

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Councilmember Tom Peterson argued for a prompt, practical approach, citing templates provided by staff. “I think what they have in common is that they do a pretty good job of covering a broad set of bases,” he said, adding a code could be a “living document” that is updated as needed.

Councilmember Anthony Amos supported a code but warned against language that could be “weaponized” for political ends. He suggested some items might better be adopted by the next council given timing and the transition to November elections.

“I think a code of ethics is warranted,” Amos said, “but I don’t realistically seeing it happening with this iteration of council.”

Councilmember Stacy Hall said she would support staff drafting a proposal and favored including enforcement options such as censure.

“I would be OK with it being a standalone document or incorporated into the city code,” she said.

Councilmembers Billy Bates and Rachel McQuillen voiced support for proceeding; McQuillen said she was surprised Fairfax lacked a code and wanted one in place before the next council takes office. “It needs to be in place,” she said.

Mayor Catherine Read cautioned that formal ethics rules cannot substitute for trust and collegiality among elected officials, and noted that censure remains the primary enforcement tool for elected bodies.

“I don’t see anything wrong with having a code of ethics,” she said, but warned it may not resolve deeper issues between members.

Lubkeman said the work of drafting a proposed code was straightforward for staff.

“I can certainly have one before you all quickly,” he told the council. He also recommended the possibility of placing a draft on a future work session agenda for council review and discussion.

No formal vote was taken. The council directed staff to prepare draft language and return with a proposal for review, leaving final timing and whether adoption would occur before the current council’s term ends to be determined.