Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics And Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richland County adopts new code of ethics ordinance and creates citizen ethics board
Summary
The board adopted Ordinance 25-6 creating a new county code of ethics and establishing a five-member citizen ethics board, including at least one licensed attorney or due-process-trained member.
The Richland County Board adopted Ordinance 25-6, a new code of ethics that establishes a separate citizen ethics board to oversee alleged violations by public officials.
County legal staff summarized the ordinance as more robust than the prior ethics rule. The new ethics board will be composed of five members and one alternate; at least one member must be a licensed attorney in Wisconsin or demonstrate experience or training in due process for quasi-judicial proceedings. Members must reside in Richland County and cannot be current county employees, officials, or receive a majority of income from the county during their appointment.
Under the ordinance, complaints about public officials must be submitted in writing, will be investigated, and may lead to hearings and sanctions. The ordinance applies to public officials and appointees to county boards, committees, and commissions; the transcript records that employees will be covered by a separate employees’ ethics policy to be developed.
Legal staff said the county administrator will provide administrative support and the county attorney will provide counsel as appropriate, but outside counsel may be required if a complaint involves county legal staff. Supervisors discussed orientation and training for the citizen board, with an annual orientation suggested and the board to convene as needed for complaints. Supervisor Cooley moved adoption and Supervisor Frank seconded; the ordinance passed by voice vote.
