NUTTER: Making the Board of Ethics More Independent

As Councilman, I introduced and successfully passed legislation providing for a new City Charter created Board of Ethics. To insure the integrity of this Board, I pushed for a strong, independent entity with adjudicatory and enforcement powers, and sufficient funding and staff to carry out its mission.

In addition, I made changes to the City's Ethics Code which now mandates routine ethics training and education for all City officers and employees, the issuance of advisory opinions, the adjudication of ethics violations, and the imposition of civil fines. These measures were adopted by City Council at the end of 2005. In addition, the ballot question establishing the Ethics Board was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in May 2006. In the fall of 2006, the Mayor submitted his nominees to Council for confirmation, thereby establishing the City’s first independent Ethics Board, which was convened in November, 2006.

As Mayor, I will encourage continuous improvement in all aspects of City government, including the Ethics Board. If a better nominating process can be designed (Five college presidents? Religious leaders? Professional association leaders? There are many constituencies for ethics), I will support it.

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