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Ethics training stresses disclosure and recusal as council debates limits on developer contributions
Summary
Ethics Commissioner Johanna Bishop led mandatory training for New Castle County council members on conflicts of interest and appearance-of-impropriety rules. The session prompted a debate over whether the county can limit campaign contributions from developers; the ethics chair noted courts have treated contributions as protected speech, limiting local regulatory options.
New Castle County council members took part in a mandatory ethics training after a personnel subcommittee meeting on Jan. 20, where Johanna Bishop of the county Ethics Commission reviewed the ethics code, conflict-of-interest rules, disclosure obligations and recusal practices.
"It's all about public trust," Bishop told the council, urging members to file statements of financial interest, disclose potential conflicts and document decisions. She emphasized that recusal means removal from discussion as well as abstaining from a vote.
The training flagged common pitfalls—accepting gifts from vendors, using county staff for campaign tasks, and failing to document decisions—and recommended advisory opinions when situations are unclear. Bishop said the commission provides formal and informal advice, enforces the ethics code when violations are proven and issues advisory opinions.
A question-and-answer exchange shifted to campaign finance: several council members asked whether the county could enact rules preventing developers with pending projects from contributing to campaigns during a set period before an election. Opinions diverged. Some council members urged stronger local disclosure and transparency measures; others said campaign finance is a state responsibility.
Robert Hicks, chair of the New Castle County Ethics Commission, cautioned about legal limits. "Several of the council members have stated that the proper place for this to be is with the Department of Elections... courts have specifically stated that campaign contributions are free speech," Hicks said, noting the commission’s limited authority to restrict contributions but suggesting legal avenues exist to change the law.
The discussion became heated near the end of the meeting, with several council members exchanging sharp criticisms. The chair restored order and the meeting was adjourned.
The training materials and the ethics commission's advisory resources will be made available to council members for follow-up.
