§ 2-254. Ethics commission.

(a)

The purpose of the ethics commission shall be to ensure proper implementation of the code of ethics and to review and report on any and all other violations of the code of ethics.

(b)

The ethics commission is responsible for conducting meetings no less than semiannually and deliberating on ethical issues, and rendering advisory opinions to the ethics administrator. The ethics commission shall be composed of five members residing in the county appointed by the ad hoc ethic commission appointment panel. Two of the commissioners shall be appointed to serve two-year terms and shall be eligible for reappointment to one four-year term. The remaining three members of the ethics commission shall be appointed to serve one single nonconsecutive four-year term. All appointments thereafter shall be for a single nonconsecutive four-year term. The panel shall select one member of the ethics commission to serve as chairperson of the commission for a two-year renewable term. Any action of the ethics commission shall require a quorum of three members.

(c)

In selecting candidates for membership on the commission, the panel shall establish procedures relating to selection which at a minimum provide as follows:

(1)

Acceptance of letters or applications of interest from anyone;

(2)

Eliminates from consideration persons convicted of a felony or crime or moral turpitude; and

(3)

Persons appointed to the ethics commission shall be of good moral standing and reputation.

(d)

Persons appointed to the ethics commission shall have no conflicts of interest as defined in section 2-258 and shall be broadly representative of the diverse populace of the Wyandotte County.

(e)

The ethics commission shall have the powers to recommend ways to improve the ethics code to the unified government board of commissioners.

(f)

The ethics commission, through the office of the municipal court, may subpoena documents and witnesses before the ethics commission or to assist the ethics administrator in the investigation and resolution of complaints.

(g)

Whenever requested by a unified government representative, or whenever it deems it in the public interest, the ethics commission shall render advisory opinions, in writing, concerning questions of ethics, conflicts of interest, and the applicability of the code of ethics. Copies of the opinion shall be made available to the ethics administrator, the mayor/chief executive officer (CEO) and the unified government board of commissioners. Such opinion may also be released to the public at the discretion of the ethics commission with such omissions as may be necessary to protect the confidence and privacy of a unified government representative.

(h)

The ethics commission shall have the power to make recommendations to the district attorney who may initiate and investigate matters deemed appropriate.

(i)

All persons covered by the jurisdiction of the ethics commission shall receive training to include familiarization with the ethics oath, the ethics handbook, the code of ethics and the general subject of local governmental ethics to be administered by the ethics administrator under the direction of the ethics commission.

(j)

All unified government representatives, except employees shall, in a public place, take an ethics oath to be administered by a person authorized by law to administer an oath and sign the ethics pledge.

(k)

Members of the ethics commission shall be subject to the ethics code.

(Ord. No. O-75-09, § 1, 10-1-2009)