Board of Ethics will be budgeted under Management while retaining independent authority, county says

The committee heard why the administration proposes to place the newly created Board of Ethics program within the Department of Management for administrative purposes while preserving the board's independent authority.

Managing Director Josiah Nishita explained that, following a Charter Amendment that created the board, Management has helped with recruitment and salary-setting and will handle administrative matters such as budgeting and staffing allocation for the board. "Because they will function as an independent board, and and office and because, their executive director will be a licensed attorney, there there are some issues with the Department of Corporation Counsel overseeing kind of an independent functioning attorney without, that supervision authority," Nishita said, arguing the Management office better aligns administrative needs while avoiding legal conflicts.

Nishita said the placement is intended to resolve administrative and legal concerns rather than to alter the board's investigatory or adjudicatory authority. Council members asked about alternatives, including housing the program under the auditor or other independent offices, and Nishita said the administration is open to council direction but urged a practical approach given urgent implementation needs.

Why this matters A Board of Ethics is a permanent oversight body whose structure affects how investigations, inquiries and staffing will be handled; the administrative home determines budgeting, recruitment and some day-to-day operations even when the board's statutory powers remain independent.

Ending Staff said they will return with written answers to follow-up questions and that the administration's priority is to get the office staffed and functioning consistent with the Charter Amendment.