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Independent Board
The Board of Ethics is a citizen-appointed board composed of seven city residents. They are selected by legal, business, civic, and educational groups to serve a three-year term of office. Instead of a confirmation process, the individuals undergo an employment, education, and criminal history background check. While serving on the board, members are prohibited from making campaign contributions to candidates in city elections and from engaging in other city election political activities. See sec. 2-804.
Duties
The board administers and enforces the Code of Ethics in the following ways:
Ethics Officer
The Board of Ethics appoints the Ethics Officer to a six-year term of office, subject to confirmation by the City Council and approval by the Mayor. In 2003, the board selected Ginny Looney as the city's inaugural officer.
Monthly Meetings
The Board of Ethics meets on the third or fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in City Council Committee Room 2. The board’s regular monthly meetings are televised on the Atlanta Municipal Public Affairs Channel as required by law.
Board Rules
The Board Rules set out the board's procedures for issuing advisory opinions, receiving complaints, conducting investigations, holding hearings, and determining violations.
Appointing Authorities
- Atlanta Bar Association
- Atlanta Business League
- Atlanta Planning Advisory Board
- Gate City Bar Association
- League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County
- Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
- Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College
History
The City of Atlanta has had a Board of Ethics since at least 1984. In 2002, the Board of Ethics was reconstituted and the position of ethics officer was created. The Ethics Office opened in August 2003. |