EXPLANATION
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this ordinance is to enact new Section 2321.56 in Chapter 2321 of the Columbus City Codes. This new section will pertain to the ethics and financial disclosure requirements of municipal office holders, and candidates for municipal office, in the City of Columbus, and establish penalties for violations of the requirements.
The ethics laws established by the Ohio Revised Code are comprehensive in many respects. However, this legislation will strengthen these laws for City officials. The City of Columbus has already strengthened ethics laws in other respects. In 2014, Columbus residents passed a series of reforms to the City Charter. Columbus City Council has established prohibited uses of public funds, as well as enhanced transparency for contracts and legislation.
With this ordinance, City Council will take further steps in the domain of ethics disclosure. In addition to other state requirements, office holders and candidates will now be required to provide a brief description of gifts received by designated sources. Each office holder must also establish an ethics policy, and designate a member of the office to coordinate ethics issues and policy within that office. This ordinance will also increase penalties for violations of financial disclosure laws.
Building on Council’s past efforts to toughen ethics laws, these additional safeguards further Council’s efforts to increase disclosure of City office holders’ finances, as well as to increase the awareness of ethics policies throughout City government.
TITLE
To enact new Section 2321.56 of the Columbus City Codes to strengthen ethics and financial disclosure requirements.
BODY
WHEREAS, the general laws of the State of Ohio, specifically Ohio Revised Code §102.02, provides comprehensive requirements for municipal officeholders and candidates in the domain of ethics and financial disclosure; and
WHEREAS, this Council has taken several steps to stren...
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