Committee advances revised ethics ordinance, proposes citizen ethics board with annual meetings

The Richland County Finance Standing Committee reviewed proposed revisions to the county ethics ordinance (23-6) and voted to forward the revised draft to the full county board for further action.

Mr. Windle presented the draft ordinance, saying he used the Iowa County ordinance as a template while incorporating the committee’s previous preferences. The draft establishes an ethics board composed of five members and one alternate, requires that at least one member be an attorney or have training in relevant processes, and bars board members from being county employees or receiving the majority of their income from the county during their term.

The committee discussed appointment and meeting practices. The draft calls for appointments by the committee on committees with confirmation by the county board. Committee members asked that the ethics board meet at least annually and "as needed" so members could receive initial training and periodic updates on state open meetings and open records law. Mr. Windle said he would remove remaining references to employees (the committee intends employee complaints to be handled through a separate process) and would add a provision for annual meetings.

Supervisor Turk moved and Supervisor Cooley seconded a motion to forward the revised ethics ordinance to the full county board. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the item was placed on the county board agenda for the following week.