Holly Springs Town Council Reviews Ethics Policy Updates, Campaign Rules, and Property Disclosure Requirements
Revisions are intended to improve governance transparency, reinforce ethical standards, and establish clearer guidelines for council members and candidates.
Holly Springs, NC, Mar. 10, 2025 — During its Quarterly Business Meeting on March 4th, the town council reviewed a series of policy revisions to clarify ethical guidelines, campaign activity definitions, and governance policies. The discussions covered updates to the ethics policy, rules regarding using town logos in campaign materials, and a new real property disclosure requirement for council members. These policy revisions will be considered for final approval at the next meeting.
Clarifying Campaign Activity Definitions in the Ethics Policy
One of the main discussion points was refining the definition of campaign activity to ensure clear guidelines during election seasons. Council members noted that previous language in the ethics policy left room for ambiguity regarding what qualifies as campaign-related activity on town property.
The conversation focused on distinguishing between official town duties and electioneering efforts. A council member explained that the goal was to make existing language in the policy clearer. Additionally, there was a discussion about how elected officials use public spaces during campaign season, reinforcing that candidates should not hold campaign-related meetings on town property. This restriction had long been part of the town’s ethics code but required more precise language to prevent misinterpretation.
To address these concerns, the council proposed updating campaign activity definitions to align with existing town policies on political activities in public spaces. The revised language would ensure consistency across all relevant regulations.
Use of Town Logos in Campaign Materials
The council also revisited restrictions on using town logos, seals, and insignia in campaign materials. There were concerns that using official town branding in political advertisements could create confusion about whether the town endorsed a campaign.
Some council members asked whether the town’s existing policies on political activities sufficiently covered this issue. Others felt that additional clarity would help candidates better understand what is and is not permitted. While acknowledging that town logos exist in the public domain, some members expressed concerns about the possibility of blurring the lines between official town communication and campaign messaging.
Ultimately, the council agreed that the ethics policy should explicitly state that town logos cannot be used in campaign advertisements to avoid potential misrepresentation.
Property Ownership Disclosure for Council Members
Another discussion centered on a new requirement for council members to disclose property ownership interests, particularly when voting on rezoning and land-use decisions. While disclosure requirements had existed previously, there was recognition that they had not always been consistently enforced.
The town has introduced a new real property disclosure form to improve transparency. This form will require council members to provide an annual report detailing real estate holdings and disclose ownership stakes in businesses operating within the town. The new requirement intends to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure accountability in decision-making processes.
Next Steps: Ethics Policy Updates for Approval
As a next step, the council directed the town manager and town attorney to revise the ethics policy to incorporate the proposed changes. Updates will be reviewed and presented for a formal vote at the next council meeting on March 18th. The council emphasized that these revisions are intended to improve governance transparency, reinforce ethical standards, and establish clearer guidelines for council members and candidates.
Town Council Contact Information
Want to learn more or share your thoughts with town council members?
Mayor
Sean Mayefskie, sean.mayefskie@hollyspringsnc.gov
Mayor Pro Tem
Daniel H. Berry, daniel.berry@hollyspringsnc.gov
Council Member
Chris Deshazor, chris.deshazor@hollyspringsnc.gov
Council Member
Annie Drees, annie.drees@hollyspringsnc.gov
Council Member
Timothy Forrest, timothy.forrest@hollyspringsnc.gov
Council Member
Danielle Hewetson, danielle.hewetson@hollyspringsnc.gov