Arnold Council Censures Mayor Moritz, Calls for Reset as Mayor Offers No Public Response

The Arnold City Council formally censured Mayor Bill Moritz during its latest council meeting over his handling of an August budget discussion involving Councilman Brad Cary, closing one chapter of a dispute that had created visible tension at City Hall.

But before casting their votes, council members spent several minutes explaining how they arrived at their decisions. Despite differing opinions over whether formal censure was warranted, much of the discussion centered on what happens next.

Several councilmen spoke about lowering tensions, improving city procedures, rebuilding working relationships, and returning their attention to the everyday business of serving Arnold residents.

The council ultimately approved Resolution 26-35 with a 7-1 vote, formally censuring Moritz for his actions during the August 24 fiscal year 2026-27 budget discussion.

What the Censure Means

The action is a formal statement of disapproval, not a removal from office or a reduction in the mayor’s legal authority. The resolution specifically says it “does not remove Mayor Moritz from office.” It describes the purpose of the censure as establishing the council’s position on recusals, protecting the legislative process, and preventing similar situations in the future.

The dispute grew from an August budget discussion involving Cary and a potential conflict of interest related to tourism funding.

The resolution focuses on how that conflict was handled. The council said the issue before it was the “scope and manner of Councilman Cary’s exclusion from unrelated Council business.” It concluded that Cary should have been excluded from the specific matter presenting the conflict, rather than from the broader budget discussion.

Through the resolution, the council “formally CENSURES Mayor William A. Moritz” for directing Cary to leave or otherwise excluding him from portions of the August 24 budget discussion beyond the matters connected to the identified conflict. The council also stated that future recusals should not become a general suspension of an elected council member’s ability to participate in unrelated city business without an independent legal basis.

Rother: “A Governance Failure, Not a Character Failure”

Councilman Michael Rother was the lone councilman recorded voting against the censure.

Rother said he had reviewed the legal memorandum, chronology of events, correspondence, and differing perspectives surrounding the situation before reaching his decision.

Rother acknowledged that a different approach could have allowed Cary to participate in portions of the budget discussion unrelated to the tourism issue while recusing himself from the portion in which the potential conflict existed.

Rother said one of the central questions in his decision was whether Moritz had acted with malicious intent or whether he was attempting, “perhaps imperfectly,” to follow the city’s legal guidance.

“Based on everything I reviewed, I found no evidence of malicious intent,” Rother said.

He went on to say that he did not believe the mayor’s actions rose beyond an error in judgment or procedural mistake to the level of misconduct that would warrant formal censure.

“I view the situation as a governance failure, not a character failure,” Rother said.

He closed by encouraging city leaders to improve procedures, lower the temperature of disagreements, and remember their shared responsibility to Arnold residents.

Fleischmann Says Censure Can Become a Turning Point

Mayor Pro Tem EJ Fleischmann supported the resolution but also used his remarks to call for a reset between the mayor and council.

Fleischmann said the August budget meeting helped bring the council to the point of considering censure, but he believed the underlying concern went beyond a single incident.

He described what he saw as a deterioration in relationships between the mayor and several members of the council and warned against allowing those divisions to grow.

Fleischmann referenced periods in Arnold’s past when infighting and disputes interfered with the city’s ability to focus on the work residents expected from their elected officials.

“We are not at that point today,” Fleischmann said. “We do not need to get to that point.”

He said the council and mayor now have a choice between allowing disagreement to deepen or using the vote as an opportunity to begin again.

“My hope is that tonight does not mark the beginning of another chapter of ultimate division in Arnold,” Fleischmann said, “but I hope it marks the beginning of a reset where we can all continue to work together.”

That call for a reset followed earlier efforts by Fleischmann to resolve the issue without formal council action. In an email to Moritz before the censure vote, Fleischmann had asked the mayor to publicly acknowledge how the August 24 budget meeting was handled and offer an apology.

Moritz did not offer a public apology or make a substantive statement addressing the censure or his handling of the August 24 meeting, either before or after the council’s vote.

Fleischmann nevertheless framed the vote less as an ending than as an opportunity for the city’s elected officials to change course.

He pointed to development, redevelopment, infrastructure, neighborhood improvements, and better communication with residents as priorities that still require the council’s attention.

“We may not always agree, and we shouldn’t expect to agree on everything,” Fleischmann said. “What we should always be able to do is disagree respectfully, communicate openly, and work toward what we believe is best for this community.”

Cary: Questions Should Be Welcomed

Cary also spoke before the vote, saying he wanted residents to understand how he viewed his responsibility as a Ward 4 councilman.

He said that responsibility includes asking questions, seeking clarification, protecting taxpayers’ interests, and working toward greater accountability in city government.

“My goal has never been to create conflict,” Cary said. “My goal is to help build a city government where questions are welcomed, information is shared openly, and elected officials can disagree professionally without fear of retaliation or intimidation.”

Cary said the outcome of the censure vote would not change the way he approaches his position.

“I will continue asking questions, seeking clarity, and working toward positive change for Arnold,” Cary said.

Sidenstricker: “The Air Is Cleared”

Councilman Tim Sidenstricker also addressed the council before the vote, describing service on the council as an honor and expressing hope that the city could move forward together after the resolution was decided.

In a follow-up interview with The Jefferson Review, Sidenstricker said he had still been considering the issue in the days leading up to the meeting.

“I did decide that I thought it was best to stay united with the council and to go ahead, with this vote. It may be the quickest way to address it, move on, and then get back to doing the important work for the city.” Sidenstricker said.

Asked how the atmosphere felt following the meeting, Sidenstricker said he believed some of the tension surrounding the issue had lifted.

“I felt that the air was cleared.” Sidenstricker said.

He said the experience had also provided lessons for everyone involved.

“I felt that we all learned from it,” he said. “I certainly learned from a situation like this. I believe Bill [Moritz] did as well.”

For Sidenstricker, getting past the disagreement also means returning his attention to the part of council service he values most.

“Getting to focus on taking care of the residents without that kind of cloud over all of us, this is what I’m looking forward to,” he said. “Getting back to focusing on projects that need to be done, building a stronger community.”

He added that he remains confident the mayor and council can continue working together.

“I consider it an honor to serve with my fellow council members and the mayor,” Sidenstricker said, adding that he feels confident they can move forward together.

Rethmeyer: Budget Discussion Needed to Be Heard

Councilman Michael Rethmeyer, who voted in favor of the censure, also spoke with The Jefferson Review following the meeting.

Rethmeyer said the outcome was consistent with the way he believed the matter should be resolved.

“I voted yes, and it happened, and I’m happy that we did that,” Rethmeyer said.

He said one of the most important outcomes for him was that Cary ultimately had the opportunity to participate in the budget discussion and ask his questions.

“I’m just happy that Brad got to ask his questions,” Rethmeyer said. “And we all got to participate in that, so that was very important.”

Rethmeyer also said he expects the city to approach the budget process differently next year, with a better opportunity for council members to discuss the budget together.

Residents Weigh In Before the Vote

The censure was also on the minds of those who addressed the council during public comments earlier in the meeting.

Arnold resident Jack Wolf directly criticized the mayor’s handling of the August 24 budget discussion, saying he believed Councilman Brad Cary should have been allowed to participate in portions of the budget discussion unrelated to the tourism matter.

Wolf described Moritz’s handling of Cary as “inexcusable” and called on the mayor to apologize to Cary, the council, and the city.

Jefferson County Councilwoman Lori Arons, whose district includes much of Arnold, followed with a broader message about the importance of listening and working through disagreements.

“We will not always agree, and that’s okay,” Arons said. “Different perspectives can make us stronger when we treat each other with respect and are willing to listen.”

“We do not have to think alike to work together, because when we work together, Arnold wins,” she said.

Arons encouraged Arnold’s leaders to move forward with humility, kindness, and a shared focus on the community.

Council Returns to Regular Business

Before and after the censure discussion, much of the meeting looked considerably more routine.

The council considered fleet management software, police vehicles, road and sidewalk projects, stormwater concerns, community events, veterans programs, and improvements within the city’s Building Department.

Resolution 26-33 approved a professional services agreement with Schneider Geospatial LLC for fleet management software.

During discussion, council members questioned why Schneider was selected and were told that while its first year would cost slightly more, projected savings in subsequent years made it the stronger overall option.

The council also approved Resolution 26-34 authorizing the Arnold Police Department to purchase six Ford Explorers.

City officials explained that five replacement vehicles were included in the budget and a sixth would be paid for through insurance following the loss of another vehicle.

Officials said four bids were obtained and the selected dealer submitted the lowest bid.

The discussion also touched on mechanical problems the department has experienced with Chevrolet Tahoes, including multiple engine replacements that officials said had been covered under warranty. The department plans to give the Ford Explorers a try as it evaluates its fleet needs.

Neighborhood Projects and Community Updates

During council reports, members also returned to more familiar neighborhood concerns.

Stormwater issues raised by residents remain under review, with city officials working toward possible solutions. Council members also provided updates on sidewalk and road projects, including work expected to continue in the coming weeks.

The Veterans Commission is preparing for upcoming community events and plans to raise money that will help support future expansion efforts at Arnold’s veterans memorial.

The Arnold Police Department also reported receiving a Missouri Blue Shield grant for the second consecutive year.

Officials announced plans for Arnold’s first National Night Out on October 6, with police activities, demonstrations, food, and other opportunities for residents to interact with the department.

City officials also discussed upcoming September activities, including the city’s September 11 remembrance and Arnold Days festivities.

Community Development Director Sarah Turner provided an update on changes within Arnold’s Building Department.

Turner said the city sent a satisfaction survey to approximately 300 recent permit recipients and reported a substantial improvement in responses from residents who dealt with the department more recently compared with those whose experiences occurred earlier in the year.

City officials credited ongoing changes within the department with helping improve customer service and the permitting experience.

What Comes Next

The censure vote formally recorded the council’s dissatisfaction with how the August budget dispute was handled, but the comments surrounding the vote suggest council members are increasingly looking beyond the confrontation itself.

Rother called for procedural reform. Fleischmann described the moment as an opportunity for a reset. Cary said he intends to continue pursuing positive change for Arnold. Sidenstricker said the air felt clearer following the vote, and Rethmeyer pointed to a better budget process in the future.

The disagreement is now part of Arnold’s official record.

What happens at the council table next will determine whether the censure becomes another point of division or the turning point several council members said they hope it will be.

Stay Informed on What Happens Next

The censure vote may be over, but the work of city government continues.

The Jefferson Review will keep following Arnold City Council meetings, decisions, projects, and the conversations shaping what comes next for the city.

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