Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics elects Commissioner Cardell chair, names Commissioner Peter Cruz vice chair; approves minutes and RQO 25-0003

The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics elected Commissioner Cardell as its chair and Commissioner Peter Cruz as vice chair during its March 6, 2025, meeting and approved routine business including minutes from the Feb. 6 meeting and process advisory opinion RQO 25-0003.

The commission handled the leadership votes by voice. Commissioner Cardell answered a call during the meeting and said, “I accept,” when asked to accept the chair nomination. The presiding official then called for the voice vote: “All in favor? Aye. Hearing none opposed, the motion carries.” The commission later nominated and elected Commissioner Peter Cruz as vice chair; Cruz accepted the nomination.

Why it matters: leadership of the Commission on Ethics sets who will preside over hearings, agendas and internal procedures for the coming term. The approved process advisory opinion (RQO 25-0003) is part of the commission’s routine advisory work; the meeting record shows the opinion was presented and approved by voice vote.

Meeting actions and process The commission opened nominations for chair and discussed one nomination made in absentia earlier in the meeting for Michael Bridal. Commissioner Cruz nominated Commissioner Cardell for chair; Cardell accepted by phone and the commission approved the nomination by voice vote. Later the commission nominated and approved Commissioner Peter Cruz as vice chair.

The board approved the minutes from the Feb. 6, 2025, meeting after a motion and second; the approval was recorded by voice vote. The commission also considered and approved one process advisory opinion listed on the agenda as RQO 25-0003; a motion, second and a voice vote carried the action. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally for those voice votes.

Other business In executive director remarks, staff said the commission will mark its 15th anniversary in May with social media and other programming. Staff also noted that the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will present a proclamation the following Tuesday declaring March as Ethics Awareness Month. Staff and a commissioner clarified the county commission meeting that will present the proclamation starts at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting record shows no public comments were offered during the meeting. With no further business, the commission adjourned.