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City auditor urges stronger training, intake controls and staffing transparency for Sacramento Ethics Commission
Summary
The city auditor presented an audit of the Sacramento Ethics Commission recommending strategic planning, improved commissioner training, automated complaint intake, clearer dismissal rationales and consideration of a renewed FPPC contract; council approved the auditor's recommendations work plan by unanimous vote.
The Sacramento City Council on May 27, 2025 considered a city auditor—s audit of the Sacramento Ethics Commission and accepted a work plan of recommendations intended to strengthen the commission—s processes for intake, investigation, training and oversight.
City Auditor Farishta Rari described five findings and 11 recommendations aimed at improving the city—s good-governance framework, including strategic planning for outreach and training, expanded resources and guidance for people seeking to comply with ethics laws, automation of complaint intake and improved protection of complainant and respondent identities on meeting materials.
Why it matters: The commission enforces local ethics and campaign rules and has complaint-review authority over officials, candidates and regulated lobbyists. The auditor said clearer procedures, consistent training and better staffing information will help the commission fulfill its oversight role and improve public confidence.
Audit findings and recommendations
Rari told council the commission, created by ordinance in 2018 as part of a good governance program, was designed as a complaint-based body supported by the city clerk's office and an independent evaluator under contract. Key audit findings included:
- Strategic planning: The auditor recommended the city document objectives, action plans and monitoring for outreach, training and the governance program so council can better evaluate effectiveness.
- Training and advice: The audit said commissioners would benefit from more robust onboarding and subject-matter training. The auditor also recommended staff create public-facing guidance (FAQs, videos) and evaluate costs for a formal advisory function to help regulated parties comply.
- Complaint intake and reporting: The auditor recommended automating complaint intake to ensure all filings are logged, restricting names on complaint logs distributed to commissioners and providing fuller rationales when complaints are dismissed for lack of jurisdiction so the commission and public understand why cases were not pursued.
- Commission staffing and work plans: Changes to boards-and-commissions rules mean most staffing for boards is now borne by the city clerk. The auditor recommended the commission include staffing estimates in its annual work plan to the council—s PNP committee and use a standardized form for presenting recommendations to council so follow-up direction is recorded.
- FPPC contract clarity: The audit noted a February 2018 contract with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) expired in December 2019 amid negotiation impasse over a $55,000 floor and differing contract terms. The audit recommended council clarify the commission's role in reviewing or recommending contracts and consider whether to revisit FPPC services.
Council comments, public input and action
Councilmember Dickinson noted concerns commissioners had raised earlier about independence and staffing; he said some peer commissions have dedicated staff, which affects perceived independence. The city clerk's office concurred with many recommendations and a motion to approve the audit work plan was moved, seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.
Ending
The auditor said management responses from the city clerk and the ethics commission were included in the audit packet. Council directed staff to return with implementation steps and to consider the auditor's recommendations as the commission prepares its annual work plan.
