Forum Attendees Receive Update on Ethics Implementation

	“We will not tolerate dishonesty,” Commissioner Santamaria told the audience. « Previous | Next »

Palm Beach County’s efforts to impose rigid new ethics rules and regulations for county commissioners, employees, and vendors who do business with the county are on schedule.

At his community forum on April 21, Commissioner Jess Santamaria welcomed Assistant County Administrator Brad Merriman and Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson to provide updates on the newly formed Commission on Ethics and the pending Office of Inspector General.

Johnson, who is senior counsel for the Public Integrity Unit of the PBC State Attorney’s Office, said establishing the Inspector General’s Office and the Commission on Ethics are important steps toward restoring the public’s trust. “Politicians, as a rule, do not like watchdogs watching them,” he told the audience of about 50.

The new standards of conduct pertain only to county government, he explained. However, in November, citizens who live in municipalities will have an opportunity to vote on requiring municipal officials and employees to adhere to the same rules.
Merriman, who is liaison to the Commission on Ethics and a specially appointed implementation committee, gave an overview of the powers and responsibilities of the Office of Inspector General. Complaints can be made by calling the toll-free hotline, 877-283-7068. The inspector general will operate out of the Vista Center complex on Jog Road and will be funded by a .25 percent contract fee charged to county vendors. Interviews for the 10 finalists for inspector general have been scheduled for May 4 and 5.
Additionally, an executive director is being hired to manage the Commission on Ethics staff, and to serve as legal counsel and as an advocate to prosecute cases brought before the commission.