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Board approves Bob Long, Sue Garrity to Ethics Inquiry Board after contested debate
Summary
After debate about perceived conflicts of interest from appointing a former chair, the St. Croix County Board defeated a motion to deny Bob Long’s appointment and then approved appointments of Bob Long and Sue Garrity to the Ethics Inquiry Board; debate focused on independence and public perception.
The St. Croix County Board debated the chair’s appointment of Bob Long and Sue Garrity to the county Ethics Inquiry Board before approving both appointments by a vote of 16–3. Supervisor Carlson moved to exclude Bob Long, arguing the ethics panel must be seen as independent and that appointing a former chair could create the appearance of insiders policing insiders.
Corporate Counsel Grama gave an overview of the ethics board’s duties and the code of ethics process, explaining the board handles probable cause hearings and fact-finding hearings under chapter 90 and that investigations are held in closed session to protect the accused. Supervisor Hansen and others countered that Long had a record of deliberate and thoughtful conduct and would be a strong member. The initial motion to deny Long’s appointment failed (4–15). A subsequent motion to approve both appointments carried 16–3.
The counsel also said the Administration Committee is preparing a rewrite of chapter 90 and related rules, which will separate rules of conduct from the code of ethics and require one alternate to be an attorney.
