Charter Reform – The Challenge To Reconstruct City’s Ethics Commission

Bridgeport’s Charter Revision Commission has issued its recommendations to the City Council to update language to the document that governs the city’s rules, regulations and administrative makeup. One key provision centers on creation of The Office of Municipal Ethics to buoy support of the Ethics Commission.

This language is now in the hands of the legislative body to approve, alter and potentially send on to voters for ratification or rejection during this year’s November general election led by school board and council candidates.

As part of this process the council will conduct a public hearing prior to greenlighting this for voter conclusion.

The city’s Ethics Commission was established late in 1985 under newly elected Mayor Tom Bucci, via executive order ratified by the City Council, who engaged a campaign promise to address the dubious actions of prior administrations. Essentially, Bucci declared, it was a tool to monitor the conduct of elected and appointed officials.

Bucci chose respected, retired Superior Court Judge Margaret Driscoll to lead the commission.

Driscoll, raised in Bridgeport, received her law degree in 1938 from Yale Law School, one of five women in the class. She became the first woman judge to lead Connecticut’s Juvenile Court. This was a significant appointment.

The early years of the commission achieved somewhat of a high profile, fielding complaints about conduct, but many of them became tit-for-tat adventures between political rivals both Democrat and Republican, including dueling allegations filed by rival City Council members.

Along the way the commission vapored into the abyss of government as a toothless tiger. What can these volunteers really do without a dedicated staff to provide support?

Former state legislator and two-time mayoral candidate Chris Caruso was a young City Council member when the Ethics Commission was created. For many years he advocated for meat on the bones to turn the commission into a serious body rather than going through the motions without the tools for informed decisions, including several of the measures the Charter Commission has sent on to the City Council for consideration.

See below, draft of new charter language:

Section 4: The Office of Municipal Ethics

The City Council shall establish an Office of Municipal Ethics, no later than July 1, 2026, to assist the Ethics Commission members in the performance of their official duties including the provisions of ethics training for city employees, public officials, and those individuals or business entities seeking or doing business with the City.

The Ethics Commission shall ensure compliance with all financial disclosure and reporting requirements for lobbyists, public officials, municipal department directors, and supervisors. The Municipal Office of Ethics shall serve as a repository for all disclosures.

The Ethics Commission shall establish a system through which individuals subject to the Code of Ethics may consult with the Municipal Office of Ethics personnel to seek advice and clarification on potential ethical issues or concerns to avoid unintentional violations.

The Office of Municipal Office shall have its own budget for resources, which may be deemed necessary to the proper and effective functioning of the Ethics Commission and the Municipal Office of Ethics.

Staffing. Pursuant to available funding, the Ethics Commission shall appoint a Director of the Office of Municipal Ethics, who shall be in the unclassified civil service. The Director of Legislative Services shall be responsible for the day-to-day management and functions of the Office of Municipal Ethics. The Director may, subject to available funding appoint subordinate staff deemed necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Office. Such subordinates shall be appointed subject to the provisions of Chapter 17 of this Charter and shall be in the non-competitive classified division.

Additional language for council consideration:

CHAPTER 2: THE OFFICE OF MUNCIPAL ETHICS AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

 

Section 1: Statement of Purpose

 

Public office is a public trust. The trust of the public is essential for government to function effectively. Public policy developed by Officials affects every resident of the City, and it must be based on honest and fair deliberations and decisions. This process must be free from threats, favoritism, nepotism, undue influence, and all forms of impropriety so that the confidence of people of Bridgeport and the State of Connecticut is not eroded.

By setting forth this Statement of Purpose, the City seeks to articulate a policy that will continually strive to maintain and increase the confidence of the people of Bridgeport in the integrity and fairness of their government. Public Officials and employees must discharge their duties impartially to ensure fair competitive access to government procurement by responsible contractors and employment by qualified candidates. In all cases, any reality or appearance of impropriety must be addressed as required by the Code of Ethics Ordinance.

City Officials and employees are required to treat members of the public with respect and expect the same in return in official in-person or virtual/electronic interactions and communications. The City is committed to maintaining orderly and fair administrative processes and in keeping City administrative offices free from disruption. Furthermore, City officials, employees, City Council members, and members of Boards and Commissions shall exemplify the highest standards of ethical conduct, fostering public trust and confidence in the integrity of their government.

The Code of Ethics Ordinance covering all Public Officials and employees of the City whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, and individuals and entities either seeking or conducting business with the City must be periodically updated and amended. The purpose of the code is to establish suitable ethical standards by prohibiting acts or actions incompatible with the discharge of public duties and the best interests of the City, and by directing disclosure of private financial interest or personal interest in matters affecting the City by the elected and appointed Officials or employees as well as such individuals and entities seeking to and conducting business with the City. The City Clerk, in collaboration with the Office of Municipal Ethics, shall provide all Public Officials and employees of the City with copies of the provisions of § 2-3 and the implementing Ordinances and policies enacted hereunder, upon the commencement of their public service and/or employment.

Section 2: General Provisions

 

• Periodic Update of Ethics Ordinance. The Council shall enact a code of ethics by Ordinance. The Office of Municipal Ethics has an affirmative obligation to recommend as needed, but no less than every three (3) years, commencing in 2026, following a public hearing in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Charter. Any updates or amendments to the code of ethics will require its adoption by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Council.

 

• Filing of Public Disclosures. Filing of public disclosures may be addressed in accordance with the Ethics Ordinance, as may be amended.

 

• Conflict of Interest and Corrupt Practices. All Public Officials are required to comply with the provisions of the General Statutes, this Charter, Ordinances, or the laws governing any funding source pertaining to conflicts of interest and corrupt practices. The Ordinance required by subsection (b) shall define and set forth the parameters of conflicts of interest and corrupt practices.

 

• Recusal. Any Public Official or employee must refrain from discussing, voting, participating or acting on matters which constitute a violation of the code of ethics or otherwise creates a conflict of interest. In the case of members of the Council or any Board and Commission, such recusal shall be promptly placed in the public record. Filing of public disclosures may be addressed in accordance with the Ethics Ordinance, as may be amended from time-to-time.

 

• Violation. In addition to any remedies or penalties set forth in the Ordinance effectuating this provision of the Charter, the Ethics Commission may recommend to the appropriate appointing authority or elected body disciplinary action or sanctions to be imposed against officials and employees, which recommendations may include, but are not limited to, reprimand or censure. The Ethics Commission may levy fines up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per offense in accordance with the law and referral for criminal investigation to the State Attorney’s Office. Any individual found in violation of the Code of Ethics may appeal the final decision to of the Superior Court.

 

• The Workplace and City Operations. This Charter promotes mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among City employees, Elected Officials and the public in the workplace and other official interactions. This section is not intended to deprive any person of the right to freedom of expression, but only to maintain, to the extent possible and reasonable, a safe, productive, and harassment-free workplace for City staff and a safe and non-threatening environment for the public all.

Section 3: Ethics Commission

 

• Powers and Duties. There shall be an Ethics Commission which shall have the authority to exercise the powers and duties contained in the General Statutes, this Charter and Ordinances pertaining to conflict of interest and ethics, administration of a code of ethics, including the issuance of advisory opinions and policies, and to investigate, render probable cause findings and conduct hearings pertaining to allegations of unethical conduct, corrupting influence or illegal activities (including violations of federal, state or local Law) levied against any Official or employee of the City, unless otherwise provided by Law.  In addition to the aforementioned powers and duties, the Board shall have such other duties and powers as may be provided by any code of ethics Ordinance or other Ordinances. The Ethics Commission shall establish policies and procedures to enforce the Code of Ethics.

 

• Membership. The Ethics Commission shall consist of five (5) members all of whom shall be electors of the City, appointed by the Mayor, and confirmed by two-thirds (2/3) of the City Council. Membership is subject to the following restrictions which shall apply to members through their term of office:

 

No more than two (2) members of the Commission shall be members of the same political party. All nominees shall be registered in their respective political party for at least one (1) year prior to their appointment.

 

No member of this commission shall be an officer or employee of the City, nor shall they be a principal or immediate family member of a principal of any business entity or organization currently doing business or seeking to do business with the City.