Making the Board of Ethics independent via City Charter
Summary
The board is floating a charter change that would write the ethics board into the City Charter — like the Community Police Review Commission — so a future council can't dissolve it, and would let the Inspector General, not council members, appoint its members. Complaint findings and penalties could also shift from City Council to the Inspector General. The ideas are early-stage and head to the Charter Review Committee, which convenes in 2027, with possible voter approval in March 2028.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Nov 5, 2026.
Impact analysis
No cost estimate yet — the changes would mainly restructure who oversees ethics enforcement, not add new spending.
Residents filing ethics complaints gain an independent referee, and council members get protection from meritless complaints being aired publicly near elections.
Critics could lose direct council control over ethics board appointments, and complainants lose the current fully public process for early-stage complaints.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Board of Ethics — November 5, 2026
The board wants to write itself into the City Charter so it can't be eliminated by politicians and no longer depends on the city council — the very body it investigates — for final say and subpoenas. Member Perkins will carry the request to the council on November 17.
Board of Ethics — September 3, 2026
Board members want the ethics board to operate independently of the City Council it investigates, since the council currently approves any sanctions. Changes would require a charter amendment, so the board hopes to pitch proposals to the Charter Review Committee convening next year.
Board of Ethics — June 4, 2026
The board is floating a charter change that would write the ethics board into the City Charter — like the Community Police Review Commission — so a future council can't dissolve it, and would let the Inspector General, not council members, appoint its members. Complaint findings and penalties could also shift from City Council to the Inspector General. The ideas are early-stage and head to the Charter Review Committee, which convenes in 2027, with possible voter approval in March 2028.
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