Ethics panel proposes ordinance edits, moves to use online filers; fiscal court approves outside counsel for a complaint

The Boyle County ethics commission presented proposed changes to the county's ethics ordinance and an online filing system for Statements of Financial Interest (SOFI). Commissioners and the court discussed 10 substantive edits and a title change that would explicitly include municipal officers of Junction City and Perryville under parts of the code if those municipalities sign an interlocal agreement.

Teresa Toilet, ethics vice chair, outlined revisions: (1) replace fines for late/failed SOFI filings with public findings, (2) clarify amended filing timing and add that municipal officers of Junction City and Perryville be included, (3) require a post-office departure statement, (4) permit electronic delivery of SOFI, (5) allow electronic, secure data storage, (6) request more detail for occupation/position fields, (7) clarify alternate membersvoting authority, (8) limit complaints to a single complainant and respondent per filing, and (910) extend gift and honoraria rules to municipal officers if those municipalities participate.

The court voted to move ahead with an electronic SOFI module the county has purchased through its website vendor and to test the system. Magistrates asked staff to consult with municipal councils in Junction City and Perryville and, if appropriate, execute interlocal agreements to formalize those municipalities' inclusion under the county ethics framework.

Separately, the ethics commission asked the fiscal court to approve a limited engagement with outside counsel (attorney Maury Kearns) to provide legal advice on a pending complaint because the county attorneys office had a conflict. The court approved the engagement and authorized a contract not to exceed the equivalent of approximately 11 hours of work on the matter, to be documented and returned for additional court approval if more time is needed.