by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Finding extra money in the City’s budget next year isn’t going to be an enviable task, but the City’s Ethics Commission wants to explore becoming an independent agency.
The Ethics Commission’s Legislative Subcommittee will request that Commission Chair Gene Filbert draft a letter requesting an audience with the Charter Revision Commission once it sets its first meeting in June to discuss making the Ethics Commission an independent agency.
Some of the subcommittee members were surprised to learn that the Ethics Commission, a volunteer commission, operated without a budget. The City’s Ethics Officer Carla Miller is appointed by the mayor and is voted on by City Council. But funding for the operations of ethics office comes from the Office of General Counsel’s budget.
The commission’s only support person, coordinator Susan Stewart, is also coordinator for the Duval County Legislative Delegation.
“I think we need money or some source allocated to the commission,” said Ethics Commission member Scott Shine. “One thing I’d like to see is someone dedicated to doing investigations.”
The subcommittee also discussed a conflict that could hinder its ability to investigate citizen complaints. The Office of General Counsel represents the City in legal matters, meaning it can represent the mayor, Council members and City departments.
“What happens if we bring a complaint to the General Counsel’s Office and they already have a client?” asked Braxton Gillam, chair of the subcommittee, who is also an attorney.
Gillam was concerned that if a complaint is brought against someone in City government, how would the Office of General Counsel be able to serve both sides?
Having an independent counsel is another reason the Ethics Commission is interested in pursuing becoming an independent agency.
“I would encourage you to be as thoughtful as possible in what you are recommending,” said John Phillips, of the Office of General Counsel. “You are at a time when the city is experiencing its second worst budget year and next year is expected to see the worst. You are just in a bad situation to be asking for funding.”
In other Legislative Subcommittee notes:
• Shine and Phillips reviewed the City’s practices for assessing charges for producing public records and found they were consistent with Florida’s public records law.
• The newest member of the Ethics Commission, Rhonda Peoples-Waters, also an attorney, joined the Legislative Subcommittee and attended her first meeting on Monday.
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