Commission directs biannual ethics refresher for city staff after 4-1 vote

The Pembroke Pines City Commission voted 4-1 on April 15 to direct the administration to implement a program of online ethics refresher training for city employees, to begin in 2026. Commissioner Schwartz sponsored the administrative policy and presented a multi-module template staff developed in consultation with HR.

Daniel Rothstein (staff) told the commission that a survey of eight Broward County cities showed roughly 37% provide ethics training while 63% do not. "A survey of 8 Broward County cities resulted in the following findings...63% do not do it and 37% do," Rothstein said. Commissioners questioned frequency, scope and cost: some members favored a short refresher every two years while others said the existing employee handbook already covers many of the same topics.

Opponents warned about the training becoming an administrative burden and flagged the cost of taking staff off their regular duties for training time. Supporters said periodic refreshers help employees remember public-records and open-government responsibilities and recommended a modest cadence such as every other year.

After debate, the commission approved a framework for delivery, instructing staff to finalize training modules (including conflicts-of-interest, public-records and open-government issues), tailor content to job functions where appropriate and return a final template for implementation under the city manager's administrative policy.

What happens next: Administration will refine the course modules, coordinate delivery logistics and implement the refresher program starting in 2026. Departments will coordinate schedules to limit operational disruption.

Provenance: Commissioner Schwartz introduced the item and staff provided the template and survey data; the commission voted 4-1 to direct administration to implement the framework.