Ocean City Eliminates Ethics Board

The work of the Ocean City Ethics Board came to an end Thursday night, six years after it was formed as a way for citizens to file complaints about ethics violations among city officials and employees. 

City Council voted 6-1 to approve the second and final reading of an ordinance that removes the "Ethics Committee" from the list of the city's agencies and boards.

Fourth Ward Councilman Pete Guinosso cast the lone dissenting vote.

The local board has considered 11 complaints in six years, and its only finding of an ethical violation resulted in a costly appeal in a case that ultimately was dropped for "procedural deficiencies."

City Council members have argued that a state board provides the same ethical oversight, making the local board a redundancy that could cost taxpayers money.

"I'm confident that the Local Finance Board can handle our ethics complaints at this time," Councilman Tony Wilson said.

"I truly don't believe this was set up with the appropriate resources to be effective," said Councilman Michael DeVlieger, participating in the meeting by speakerphone because of a work commitment out of town.

But Guinosso argued that knowledge that an entity is watching could have a preventive effect. He also suggested it would be easier for citizens to make complaints to a local board.

"To me, the idea that you're going to run up to the state is do-able, but impractical," Guinosso said.

His position was echoed in public comments.

"It's really all about transparency," Ocean City resident Julie Baumgardner said. "Do we want politicians policing politicians? Do we want Trenton policing Ocean City?"

Ocean City's elected officials and employees are still required to follow a state Code of Ethics. The state code, like Ocean City's, primarily addresses conflicts of interest and financial disclosure.