Ethics Commission approves consent calendar, elects vice chair and ratifies search firm for executive director search

The San Francisco Ethics Commission handled several administrative items on Aug. 18, voting unanimously on routine and leadership matters.

Consent calendar: The commission approved the consent calendar, which included draft minutes from the July 14, 2023 meeting, the acting executive director’s report and proposed stipulated decisions. A remote commenter recommended minor clarifying edits to the minutes; commissioners approved the consent calendar with staff asked to make non‑substantive spelling and clarity corrections. The motion passed by roll call, 4–0.

Vice chair election: Under commission bylaws, nominations for vice chair were opened. Commissioner Finlave was nominated and confirmed by roll‑call vote to serve as vice chair from Aug. 18, 2023 through Feb. 29, 2024. The vote was 4–0 in favor.

Executive director recruitment: Staff and the acting deputy director outlined plans to restart the executive director search and presented a single responding search firm (Berkeley Consultants) identified via the Department of Human Resources (DHR) mini‑solicitation. Commissioners discussed outreach and the prior, inclusive search process; the commission ratified proceeding with the DHR contract so DHR can engage the selected firm. The chair clarified the contract is with DHR rather than the Ethics Commission. The motion to accept the search firm candidate passed on a 4–0 roll‑call vote.

All three actions were recorded with affirmative roll calls and no opposition. Commissioners said the chair will coordinate initial administrative engagement with DHR and the search firm, while the full commission will participate in candidate review and final selection stages when interviews begin.