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Norwalk Board of Ethics says Section 32‑16 authorizes spending for training and investigations
Summary
A member of the Norwalk Board of Ethics summarized Section 32‑16 of the Norwalk City Code, saying the board may incur costs for education, investigations and prosecutions, can seek appropriations to cover those costs, and may retain independent counsel in appropriate circumstances.
Michelle Sawyer, a member of the Norwalk Board of Ethics, summarized Section 32‑16 of the Norwalk City Code and the board’s authority to spend for education, investigations and related legal costs.
Under Section 32‑16, the board “shall be authorized to incur costs when they are providing education, training programs for the city and its employees,” Sawyer said. She added that “they can incur costs to investigate or prosecute any ethics violations that come before us and in response to any advisory opinions that were brought before us.”
Sawyer said the board “shall also seek an appropriation to be used to cover these costs during the year” and may request increased appropriations if necessary depending on its responsibilities. She said the city’s Law Department “shall assist the board of ethics in implementing responsibilities” and will serve as staff to the board and to any investigating panel or hearing board appointed under the code.
“In appropriate circumstances the board may retain independent counsel to represent the board itself, any investigating panel, and any hearing board,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer directed listeners to the online code of ethics and a citizen’s guide for more information and said board staff can be contacted with questions.
