Legislation Details

File #: 25-1762    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Approved
File created: 11/21/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 11/25/2025 Final action: 7/16/2026
Enactment date: 7/9/2026 Enactment #: 221046
Title: That the Code of Ordinances be amended to prohibit the use of tax-payer funds for self-promotion.
Sponsors: Lance L. Davis, Jake Wilson
Code sections: Ordinance Not Zoning -
Attachments: 1. Prohibiting Use of Electeds' Names, 2. Signature Report, 3. Signature Report, 4. Signature Report

Agenda Summary

title

That the Code of Ordinances be amended to prohibit the use of tax-payer funds for self-promotion.

body

Official Text

That the Code of Ordinances be amended by adding the following:

 

CITY OF SOMERVILLE

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-

IN CITY COUNCIL: ________, 2025

 

Be it ordained by the City Council, in session assembled, that Chapter 15, Article I of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Somerville is amended as follows by inserting the following section.

Sec. 15-1. - Use of tax-payer funds for self-promotion prohibited.

(a)                     The name of an elected official may not be included on city owned property, including signs, plaques, buildings, or banners, or official city communication, including press releases, social media posts, or newsletters, when inclusion of the name is not necessary to accomplish a specific government function.

(1)                     A specific government function includes a permanent memorialization, quotation of a municipal elected official in a press release, or description of an action taken by a municipal elected official as part of their role.

 

 

Approved:

 

 

                                                                                                         

President

 

 

Approved:

 

 

                                                                                                         

Mayor