DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA.

 Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Adoption of Agenda

III.     Administrative Items

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of January 18, 2024
2. Discussion of Rule Change for Ethic Rule 4.5 (see Attachment)
3. Discussion of Rule Change for Ethics Rule 7.5 (see Attachment)
4. Ethics Officer’s Review
5. Preliminary Case
6. 2023-11: Musa Ghanayem et al. v. Commissioner Robert Patrick
7. Public Comments
8. Comments from the Board of Ethics

VII.    Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation and Personnel Issues

1. Motion to Convene an Executive Session
2. Motion to Adjourn an Executive Session
3. Motion to Approve the Executive Session Affidavit

VIII.   Announcement of Next Regular Meeting Date of Thursday, March 21, 2024

1. Adjournment
   

ATTACHMENT:

4.5 Review for Jurisdiction. The ethics officer shall determine within five business days of receipt of a complaint whether an ethics complaint alleges a violation of the DeKalb County’s Code of Ethics and whether the complaint meets the jurisdictional requirements of the Code of Ethics. If the ethics officer determines that the ethics complaint does not contain the necessary information under rule 4.2 or 4.3 or that the ethics complaint does not meet the jurisdictional requirements of the Ethics Code, the ethics officer shall advise the Board of Ethics of his or her findings. The Board of Ethics shall then determine whether it agrees with the findings of the ethics officer. If the Board of Ethics agrees with the findings of the ethics officer, the Board of Ethics shall direct the ethics officer to notify the complainant of the defect and the need to correct it before the complaint will be considered. The complainant shall have ten business days from the date of notice to correct and refile the complaint directly with the ethics administrator. If the complainant fails to refile and correct the complaint within 10 days, the complaint shall be dismissed by the Board of Ethics within 30 days of receipt of the original complaint unless extended by a majority vote of the Board of Ethics. Likewise, if the ethics officer determines that the complaint does not allege any act that, if true, would constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics, then the ethics officer shall recommend dismissal of the complaint and notify the complainant and respondent prior to seeking formal board action on the recommendation. Nothing shall preclude the ethics officer from communicating with the complainant prior to the time the matter is submitted to the Board of Ethics. Emphasis added.

7.5 Right of Review. The decision of the board shall be final. Such decision shall be subject to review by writ of certiorari to the DeKalb County Superior Court. A final decision rendered pursuant to Rule 5.4, 5.9, or rule 6.2 shall be subject to appeal in the same manner as a final decision of the board. Emphasis added.