Deliberation about email signatures quickly escalated during the drafting of a city communications policy in the Heber City Council chambers.
Outgoing City Councilor Scott Phillips introduced the idea last month as a way to maintain political neutrality and focus on verifiable facts in city newsletters, surveys and social media posts.
Ryan Bunnell, the city’s public information officer, created the policy’s first draft for staff and elected officials. It states to “educate and inform” rather than “persuade, interpret or advocate” when using the city brand or resources to communicate with the public.
The policy also asks staff and elected officials not to use the Heber City logo in personal or private communication. City Councilor Aaron Cheatwood pointed out that that’s easier said than done because the logo is automatically added to the signature of an email address associated with the city. Bunnell then clarified that employees and elected officials shouldn’t use the logo “for personal benefit.”
The conversation soon turned to a debate over what constitutes political speech.
“Political messages can be posted on political sites. The city’s message always needs to be professional, not political, because that’s where we build trust with the public,” Phillips said.
But Mayor Heidi Franco thought it would be difficult to draw those lines.
“(It’s) really hard to separate the political from the professional,” she said. “Political means value judgments. So, no matter how professional the city might try to be, someone out there is going to say, ‘That’s their value judgment.’”
The monthly city newsletter, which includes a “Mayor’s Minute” and columns by City Council members, drew further debate.
“I don’t think the city should be paying for a newsletter with my personal opinion,” said City Councilor Mike Johnston.
However, City Councilor Yvonne Barney said that the newsletter would become “really boring” if it were purely informational, without any space for the opinions of elected officials.
Franco added, “It’s part of what you judge elected officials on. How they’re going to use their office, what they’re going to say.”
She also pointed out that the city pays for the snacks available to elected officials during City Council meetings. Those snacks could be considered “personal” uses of taxpayer funds, but she argued that it was just “part of the job.”
Phillips then criticized Franco for using her city email to advertise a business summit to Heber City business owners in August. Phillips called the use of city communications “completely inappropriate” and had subsequently reported it to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for a violation of state code about the use of public emails for a political purpose.
In a September email to the Lt. Governor’s Office, which was investigating the complaint, Franco said the business summit “was not a campaign event.” The state ultimately determined there was no violation.
Phillips also criticized Franco for writing instructions about ranked-choice voting in the November 2023 Heber City newsletter, leading to a back-and-forth between the two until City Councilor Yvonne Barney interjected.
“I’m not concerned about what happened in the past, and I think you guys need to just get over it. Like, freaking get over it. This is so ridiculous,” she said. “I’m not against having a communications policy. … Why are we muddying this up? Why are we turning this into a controversy?”
City Manager Matt Brower chimed in as the discussion continued.
“Mayor, council, if I may, it is 10:25. We’ve been here for six and a half hours. It’s late. We’re not at our best. Let me suggest that we place this on the next agenda,” he said.
Phillips said he simply wanted to ensure “we learned from our mistakes in the past, and we do better,” and brought up Franco’s ranked-choice voting newsletter instructions again.
“How long can you ramble on about one sentence?” Franco questioned.
Phillips then hit his hand on the table and said, “Stop.”
“I’m asking the same for you,” Franco replied.
As Phillips tried to continue speaking, Franco said, “Motions take precedence.”
The City Council then voted 5-1 to table the discussion about the city communications policy to the Jan. 6 meeting. Phillips was the sole “no” vote. He will be replaced by Morgan Murdock during that meeting.
Phillips did not seek re-election to the City Council this year; he challenged Franco for the mayor’s seat. Franco secured another term with 53% of the vote, compared to Phillips’ 47%.