Simi Valley : Councilwoman Can Vote on Some Bills

The California Fair Political Practices Commission has advised Barbara Williamson, elected to the Simi Valley City Council in November, that she can vote on some city matters involving her employer, Simi Valley Bank.

Since her election, Williamson, a vice president at the bank, has abstained on votes to pay routine city bills because the city’s checking account is with Simi Valley Bank. Williamson was not on the council when the city placed its account with the bank, but she was concerned that her vote might be viewed as a conflict of interest.

Williamson said this week that she recently received a written opinion from the commission stating that she can legally vote to pay city bills, except checks made out to Simi Valley Bank.

The commission staff also concluded that Williamson does not have to determine whether each person or business that comes before the council banks with her employer.

But she must make a reasonable attempt to find out if her decisions will have a significant financial impact on Simi Valley Bank, the commission advised.