Town Council debates sanctions against Councilman Skillicorn following ethics violations

The Town Council of Fountain Hills, Arizona, convened on May 5, 2025, for a regular meeting that addressed several contentious issues, primarily revolving around the conduct of Councilmember Alan Skillicorn and the sanctions imposed against him.

The meeting began with a heated discussion regarding the ethics complaint filed against Skillicorn, which resulted in a finding of violation. Councilmember Earl highlighted that Skillicorn's actions, including an incident where he allegedly ran a code officer off the road, were documented on video and raised serious concerns about his behavior. Earl expressed her belief that Skillicorn had shown no remorse and continued to engage in misconduct, which led her to oppose any changes to the sanctions against him.

Vice Mayor Toth intervened, suggesting that the conversation was devolving into personal attacks rather than focusing on the sanctions themselves. Despite the tensions, a motion was made to call the question on the sanctions, which was met with mixed responses from council members. Ultimately, the council voted on whether to lift the sanctions, with a majority supporting the motion for time served, indicating a desire to move past the issue.

Councilmember Watts and others argued that the sanctions were excessive and that a simple apology might have sufficed. They emphasized the need for forgiveness and grace within the council. The vote resulted in the removal of sanctions against Skillicorn, with some council members expressing regret over the situation but acknowledging the need to move forward.

In addition to the sanctions discussion, the council addressed future agenda items, including a proposal to communicate with state legislators regarding hazardous waste issues affecting the municipality. The council also discussed potential adjustments to staff cost-of-living raises in light of upcoming projects.

The meeting concluded with a consensus to revisit certain procedural matters and code rewrites in future sessions, aiming for a more collaborative and less contentious atmosphere moving forward. Overall, the council's discussions reflected ongoing challenges in governance and the importance of maintaining decorum and respect among members.