Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Inspector General topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee discusses possible inspector general, ethics board and limits tied to parish funds
Summary
Members explored adding an inspector general and ethics review board to the charter, discussed scope tied to parish funding, and asked staff to seek legal clarity and state partnership options to broaden IG authority.
Committee members discussed adding a charter-based ethics review board and an Office of Inspector General, and whether an OIG—s authority should be limited to programs funded by the parish or extended by state law.
David Marcello described how New Orleans— 1995 revisions included provisions for an ethics review board and an Office of Inspector General, though he said the council initially narrowed the provisions and the substantive work of setting up the agencies took many years. "We created authority for an ethics review board and an office of inspector general," Marcello said in his presentation; he also described delays between charter language and implementation at the council level.
Committee members and staff asked whether an OIG could examine entities that receive parish funds, including the sheriff—s office, the district attorney—s office or mosquito abatement; legal counsel suggested the IG—s reach would follow parish funds unless state law extended the office—s jurisdiction. One member summarized: "If we're successful in getting the state legislature to do this, this law ... will provide that an OIG can follow tax dollars generated within St. Tammany Parish to their destination."
Public comment from resident Kristen Luxinger focused on transparency and voter education: she urged committee members to present easily understood explanations of any proposals and the funding consequences, noting that voters historically have approved many dedicated taxes because the ballot described precise spending plans.
Members asked staff to return with legal research on whether a parish charter-based OIG could be written with authority to follow parish tax dollars to entities that receive the funds, and on budget implications for creating and operating an IG and an ethics board.
