<cite>This Editorial ran in June after the passing of a comprehensive
package of ethics reform bills in the Jacksonville City Coucil.</cite>
<h1>Ethics: This progress was historic</h1>
<b>Posted:</strong>June 19, 2011</b><br>
<p>Jacksonville residents have this self-image that we have a
progressive government. But consolidation was more than 40 years ago.</p>
<p>In creating a strong culture of ethics in city government,
Jacksonville has been left behind - until now.</p>
<p>With the unanimous passage of new ethics legislation Tuesday,
Jacksonville's city government has the foundation, for the first time,
of an independent ethics office.</p>
<p>It came only with great persistence from the Ethics Commission and
its part-time director, Carla Miller. In fact, she put in so many hours
into this venture that she used them up; she has been working as a
volunteer lately,</p>
<p>Many others deserve a bow. There was an unlikely coalition of
community groups that took an active interest: The NAACP, the tea
party, the Concerned Taxpayers, the League of Women Voters,
Jacksonville Community Council Inc. and the Young Democrats.</p>
<p>When City Council committee meetings were held on the ethics bills,
the active citizens were well represented.</p>
<p>Citizen groups pushed back against attempts to undercut the
commission's independence. This was not going to be a weak commission
for show. This was going to fulfill its duties as a responsible
watchdog for the people.</p>
<p>The final bills represented 98 percent of what the commission had
recommended, Miller said.</p>
<p>Her motto for these efforts is: "Pick battles big enough to matter
and small enough to win."</p>
<p>Frankly, this battle looked too big to win. But this time, history
was made.</p>
<p>Here are a few key elements of the bills:</p>
<h2>The intent</h2>
<p>The new Ethics Code begins with this goal:</p>
<p>"Ethics is more than the avoidance of criminal behavior. It is a
commitment for public servants to take individual responsibility in
creating a government that has the trust and respect of its citizens.
There needs to be a proactive approach in strengthening the emphasis on
ethics and in guiding city officers and employees in upholding them."</p>
<h2>The members</h2>
<p>Appointments are made in a traditional way. Appointments are made by
these six: mayor, council president, state attorney, public defender,
chief judge and sheriff. The commission itself will appoint three
members. All appointments will be confirmed by City Council.</p>
<p>There are defined standards for the members. Examples: An attorney,
an accountant, a former judge, a higher education faculty member, a
former law enforcement officer experienced in investigating public
corruption or a former board member of an independent authority.</p>
<h2>The ethics officer</h2>
<p>There is a long list of duties that involve more education and
prevention than most realize.</p>
<p>Complaints remain anonymous. As Miller said recently, many city
employees fear retaliation.</p>
<h2>Independent Powers</h2>
<p>The commission may investigate sworn written complaints. Or, by a
supermajority vote of six of the nine members, it can initiate an
investigation on its own.</p>
<p>Due process is included. And if a complaint is found to be
frivolous, the commission may order the complaining party to pay costs
and attorneys fees.</p>
<h2>Conflicts and gifts</h2>
<p>The code states it is unlawful for officers or employees of the city
or an independent agency to intentionally use their official positions
to secure by coercion or threat a special privilege or exemption ... or
to secure confidential information for any purpose other than official
responsibilities.</p>
<p>Watch out if a city employee asks, "Do you know who I am?"</p>
<p>The code restricts city employees from accepting any one gift
greater than $100 or a total of gifts in any calendar year of more than
$250 from a lobbyist or someone doing business with the city.</p>
<p>The code, though impressive, is still just a start. It can stand to
be beefed up in the lobbyist provisions. And there continue to be
public records and sunshine issues that crop up with new technology.</p>
<p>The ethics code is a historic moment for Jacksonville.</p>
<p>Congratulations to everyone who took part.</p>
<p>You should be proud.</p>
Read online at Jacksonville.com:<br>
<a href="http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2011-06-19/story/ethics-prog…;
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