BELLE — A “Resolution of Censure” was passed with a 3-0-1 vote on April 14 against Alderman Rebecca Withouse, who abstained from the proceedings. According to the document below, Withouse violated the city’s Board of Aldermen Code of Conduct, which passed in August 2025.    

Resolution of Censure

Whereas, the City of Belle is a Fourth Class City and organized under the laws of the State of

Missouri; and

Whereas, Section 79.110, RSMo, provides:

The mayor and board of aldermen of each city governed by this chapter shall have the

care, management and control of the city and its finances, and shall have power to enact

and ordain any and all ordinances not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state,

and such as they deem expedient for the good government of the city, the preservation of

peace and good order, the benefit of trade and commerce and the health of the inhabitants

thereof, and such other ordinances, rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary to

carry such powers into effect, and to alter, modify or repeal the same; and

Whereas, pursuant to the authority to adopt ordinances expedient for the good government of

the city, the board of aldermen approved Ordinance 662 on August 12, 2025, adopting a

Code of Conduct for the mayor and aldermen; and

Whereas, the Code of Conduct sets out several expectations for mayor and board member

conduct, including the following:

1) Avoid personal comments that could offend others, including refraining from using

profanity or discriminatory remarks;

2) Treat all staff with respect and courtesy;

3) Refrain from interfering with the administrative functions and professional duties of staff.

No elected official, other than the mayor, shall individually give any directive to any

employee. Elected officials may ask questions of staff either during a meeting of the

board or through the mayor.

4) Refrain from publicly criticizing an individual staff member, but will privately

communicate with the mayor any concerns about a department or department director or

staff person;

5) Shall not knowingly blindside public officials, board/commission members nor staff, in

public meetings, but will ask the questions ahead of or immediately following a public

meeting whenever possible.

6) When speaking to the public make it clear that he or she is speaking as an individual and

not on behalf of the city, unless authorized to do so by the board; and

Whereas, on March 10, 2026, Alderwoman Rebecca Withouse entered into the closed session

of the board of aldermen; and

Whereas, Alderwoman Withouse declared that she wanted to discuss a personnel matter and

asked that the city treasurer and city clerk leave the closed session; and

Whereas, Alderwoman Withouse had not communicated with the mayor or any other board

member prior to her abrupt request to discuss what she described as a personnel matter;

Whereas, Alderwoman Withouse proceeded to question the February 25, 2026, meeting

minutes the board had previously approved during the open session of the meeting; and

Whereas, Alderwoman Withouse’s conduct was in violation of the City Code of Conduct to “.

. . not knowingly blindside other officials, board/commission members nor staff, in public

meetings; but will ask questions ahead of or immediately following a public meeting

whenever possible.”; and

Whereas, Alderwoman Withouse’s conduct violated the City Code of Conduct to “refrain

from interfering with the administrative functions and professional duties of staff.”; and

Whereas, Alderwoman Withouse is on the record in the March 18, 2026, edition of the Maries

County Advocate indicating that, regarding her concern about the meeting minutes, she

contacted a “person with legal experience” who “advised her that the wording could

present potential problems” though she did not raise those concerns with any member of

the board prior to the March 10, 2026, board meeting; and

Whereas, The board finds that neither Alderwoman Withouse’s comments during the March

10, 2026, board meeting, which she made with no previous communication to any board

member or the mayor, nor her comments appearing in the March 18, 2026, edition of the

Maries County Advocate, are consistent with the expectations of board members as set

out in the city’s Code of Conduct for the mayor and board of aldermen.

Now therefore be it resolved, that the board of aldermen of the city of Belle,

Missouri, hereby censures Alderwoman Withouse for conduct contrary to the city’s Code

of Conduct; and

Be it resolved that, that the board of aldermen calls upon Alderwoman Withouse

to conduct herself in a civil and respectful manner and consistent with the expectations of

the Code of Conduct; and

Be it further resolved, that the board of aldermen strongly encourages Alderwoman

Withouse, as an acknowledgment of her conduct prompting this Censure, to commit to

following the Code of Conduct and, in particular, raising particular concerns through the

mayor and board consistent with the Code of Conduct and to promote the professional

and efficient operation of the city of Belle; and

Be it further resolved, that the board of aldermen reserves the right to take

additional action in the event the Board determines that Alderwoman Withouse is not

adhering to the Code of Conduct adopted by the Board.

Passed this 14th day of April, 2026.