Coucilman Tolliver Requests Ethics Opinion for Councilman Snarr & Police Chief Gibson

Left to Right: Councilman Michael Snarr, Councilman Bob Osborn, Councilman Jamie Knowles, Councilman David Nanstad, Councilman Kelly Tolliver, Mayor Pat Haley, Public Safety Director Nick Eveland (at the Podium)

At the October 16, 2025, Wilmington City Council Meeting, Councilman Kelly Tolliver shared that he would like the city council, through the city law director, to seek a formal advisory opinion regarding Councilman Michael Snarr's and Police Chief Josh Gibson's presence on the board of Sugartree Ministries. Tolliver stated that he would like to know if it is compliant with state ethics laws and local policies. During his comments, he also mentioned that he submitted a letter of request to the Ohio Ethics Commission.

Tolliver stated, "It’s come to my attention that both a member of this council and our chief of police serve on the board of a local nonprofit organization that operates within the city, specifically within that council member’s ward. And I want to be clear I’m not making any accusation or questioning anyone’s intent. The organization in question provides charitable services. However, this same nonprofit's operations also appear to intersect regularly with city resources and public safety services. Given that overlap, I believe its appropriate to examine whether this dual involvement by a policy maker and the head of our police department could present an appearance of impropriety or potential conflict of interest under Ohio ethics standards." He continued, "I'm separately submitting a formal letter of request for the advisory opinion to the Ohio Ethics Commission, I did that before this meeting." Tolliver argued that public servants should avoid situations that could "appear to compromise impartiality." He continued on to state, "I believe taking this step will protect the integrity of both this council and our police department, and reassure the public, every decision involving city resources is made objectively, transparently, and in the best interest of Wilmington residents."

In response to Tolliver's concerns regarding Snarr's presence on Sugartree Ministries' Board, Councilman Snarr stated, "Kelly, I just want to say I appreciate it. If there's a conflict of interest I don't want to be voting on something and I have made a past request to the ethics commission to see if I could vote on a certain issue and... I've shared that with the law director's office."

Later in the meeting, Public Safety Director Nick Eveland defended Chief Gibson. He stated, "Councilman Tolliver, I appreciate your comments and your thoughts... but I will say this... If an incident occurs at Sugartree [Ministries], [Chief Gibson] has always been there. If it's a violation of the law, he will arrest... He even put his brother in handcuffs at one point [for breaking the law]... He's a man of strong character and while he feels... that it's his calling to work for Christian ministries and the homeless, nothing would stop him from engaging in whatever's necessary to enforce the law."

To watch the city council meeting or learn more, visit wilmingtonohio.gov.