Story originally published by the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to create an Ethics Commission, following a lengthy debate over whether the new panel could be truly independent if it includes members appointed by elected officials – and if so, which officials.
In the end, the board agreed on a 7-member commission, with appointments to be made by the county assessor, the board chair, and the elected executive – but not the sheriff or the district attorney. The three appointees will then select the four other members after an application and vetting process.
Until the first elected executive takes office in 2028, that official’s appointment will be made by the Governance Reform Task Force, the body advising the Board of Supervisors on how to implement the sweeping governance overhaul adopted by voters in 2024 as Measure G.
County lawyers were instructed to return to the board with a draft ordinance by June 30. The commission is to be created by Aug. 6, and members appointed by Sept. 20.
But they won’t constitute the “independent Ethics Commission” required by Measure G. Many of the features intended to confer independence would violate the county charter. Voters will be asked to fix that with a charter amendment on Nov. 3.
Continue reading at the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation