Clark County ethics commission clears director in one complaint, schedules hearing for fire marshal, dismisses sheriff complaint

The Clark County Ethics Commission on Feb. 18 reviewed three complaints and issued three separate decisions: it ruled that allegations against Community Services Director Vanessa Gaston do not constitute an ethics violation; it voted to hold a public hearing on a complaint about Deputy Fire Marshal Jason Noble and scheduled that hearing for Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m.; and it ruled that a complaint alleging Sheriff John Horsch committed an ethics violation by speeding did not meet the commission's threshold for investigation.

The actions came after public comment by several community members and written and investigative material the commission said it had reviewed. Chair Murray said the commission relied on the investigator's report in each matter and framed the legal standards it applies, including Clark County Code Section 2.07.010, the applicable sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and county human resources policy.

Why it matters: The decisions determine whether the commission will open formal hearings or close matters without further public proceedings, and they concern local public-safety and community-services officials whose roles involve awarding or administering public funds and enforcing county rules.

The Gaston complaint: The commission reviewed complaint number 202046, which alleged that Vanessa Gaston failed to disclose a…