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Ameranick trustees move to expand annual ethics disclosures to consultants and more boards
Summary
Trustees agreed to add the Arts, CFT and Flood committees to the annual disclosure list and to finalize a resolution requiring committee members and consultants to complete online disclosure forms; staff said the ethics board now applies a consultant-specific form and enforcement language may bar noncompliant members from meetings.
The Village of Ameranick Board of Trustees reviewed and agreed to broaden which positions receive the village's annual disclosure forms, encouraging trustees and committee liaisons to ensure compliance and asking staff to circulate an updated list for adoption.
The chair opened discussion of the "annual disclosure statement and list of individuals on the ethics board," and a staff member explained a resolution had been prepared to approve the list and send it to the ethics board within 72 hours of the annual organization meeting. The staff member noted the packet lists positions rather than individual names and that last year the ethics board began requiring consultants who do business with the village to fill out a separate consultant disclosure form.
Trustees asked when contractors and new hires must file disclosure forms; staff said forms are provided at the time a person begins work with the village and then annually thereafter. Staff also stated the forms are mailed to recipients around Jan. 15 and are typically due back in February, though the exact return date was stated inconsistently in the discussion (either Feb. 1 or Feb. 15).
Members raised that several advisory groups were not on the current list, singling out the Arts Council for addition. Trustees supported adding Arts and other committees and asked liaisons and committee chairs to remind members to file forms in January and February. Staff said the online form introduced last year has reduced administrative burden and that the ethics board maintains access to an annual-disclosure mailbox for tracking returns.
During debate, trustees discussed enforcement language included in the updated resolution. One trustee noted the ethics board may now have authority to bar noncompliant committee members from attending meetings until they submit a form. Staff said they would add Arts, CFT and Flood committees to the list and circulate the corrected resolution for the legislative meeting that evening.
What happens next: The board will receive the revised list and resolution for adoption at the legislative meeting; liaisons and committee chairs were asked to help ensure committee members complete the required online forms.
