Despite Eight Applications, City Extends Deadline for Ethics Board Position

Despite Eight Applications, City Extends Deadline for Ethics Board Position

When the City’s appointment to the Ethics Board, Lila Jaber, announced her resignation, the City of Tallahassee set a deadline of November 20th, 2015 to receive applications to fill the vacancy. When November 20th arrived, the City had received eight applications. However, instead of choosing from the eight applicants, the City decided to extend the […]

More Conflicts With City’s Ethics Board Chairman, Gunster Law Firm and City of Tallahassee

More Conflicts With City’s Ethics Board Chairman, Gunster Law Firm and City of Tallahassee

Roughly two weeks before Mayor Andrew Gillum recommended Lila Jaber as the City Commission’s appointment to the newly formed independent ethics board, Ms. Jaber submitted an application for consideration. The application is required for most citizens interested in serving on one of the many citizen boards. On all applications, including Jaber’s, which can be viewed […]

City Ethics Officer Did Not Inform Board of Possible Conflict, Calls Situation “Entirely Acceptable”

City Ethics Officer Did Not Inform Board of Possible Conflict, Calls Situation “Entirely Acceptable”

Tallahassee Reports spoke with the City’s appointed Ethics Officer, Julie Meadows-Keefe, about the hiring of a law firm to serve as counsel to the Ethics Board that also does significant business with the City of Tallahassee. Tallahassee Reports wrote about the relationship here. Ms. Meadows-Keefe told Tallahassee Reports that she was aware of the relationship […]

After Debate, Ethics Panel Votes For Charter Level Ethics Officer

After Debate, Ethics Panel Votes For Charter Level Ethics Officer

During the 17th meeting of the City’s Ethics Advisory Panel, on Monday June 10, the issue of oversight authority was front and center. The question of who an Ethics Officer would report to has been lingering over the meetings for the last few weeks. While the discussions had been cordial, it was obvious that a […]

Ethics Advisory Panel Struggles With Oversight Issue, Chairperson Barnett Calls for Charter Amendment

Ethics Advisory Panel Struggles With Oversight Issue, Chairperson Barnett Calls for Charter Amendment

While the City’s Ethics Advisory Panel is set to recommend significant changes to ethics rules for elected officials with respect to financial disclosure, business conflicts, and training, the question of who will be responsible for implementing these new rules has yet to be resolved. During the Panel’s meeting on May 30th, scheduled to be its […]