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Warren County advisory board discusses Local Law 4 changes to code of ethics and financial disclosure forms
Summary
Staff told the advisory board that Local Law 4 of 2026 amended definitions in the countycode of ethics and updated the financial disclosure form; the board closed the open session to continue discussion and consider an additional change to the law.
Staff member (S4) told the Warren County advisory board that Local Law 4 of 2026, enacted in March 2026, amended parts of the countycode of ethics and updated the boardfinancial disclosure form.
The change, S4 said, altered definitions such as "relative" and modified the disclosure form that members must complete. S4 noted that two board members, Bernie and Larry Elman, reviewed the changes at the prior meeting and that the board is considering an additional change to the local law.
The board moved to close the open session for further discussion of the financial disclosure forms after Chair (S2) said no public commentators were present. S4 advised that, according to guidance from New York State, the advisory boardbecause it is advisory in naturedoes not need to comply fully with portions of the Open Meetings Law; the chair then decided to close the meeting to discuss the matter in more depth.
Board members asked clarifying questions: one member (S3) asked why minutes had been recorded as "discussion" when there was no direct discussion on Local Law 4; Clerk (S1) explained the boardwhich takes abbreviated minutesrecords "discussion" where no motion, second and formal action occur and posts fuller records on the county website.
The board also asked whether the disclosure-form change coincided with a move to a seven-member board; S4 said that change was separate from the financial disclosure/form update.
The meeting summary posted by staff will reflect the abbreviated minutes and the board indicated it will continue the substantive discussion on the disclosure form in closed session or a follow-up meeting.
