The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics (COE) is celebrating 15 years of promoting integrity, transparency and accountability in public service.
Since its inception, the COE has provided oversight, accountability and support to more than 10,000 elected officials, public employees and advisory board members within Palm Beach County.
The Commission on Ethics was established in 2010 following a grand jury recommendation due to significant ethical concerns in the county. The primary role of the COE is to maintain public trust and ensure ethical governance across the county. Palm Beach County’s collaborative ethics movement includes the COE, the Palm Beach County Office of the Inspector General and the Office of the State Attorney, all working toward promoting local government integrity, transparency and accountability.
The commission’s mission goes beyond high-profile cases. It involves year-round engagement with county government, the 39 municipalities, public entities, civic organizations and community groups. COE staff participates in speaking engagements with many local organizations and also collaborates on ethics education initiatives with Florida Atlantic University.
At the heart of the COE’s work are its core values of honesty, integrity and character, which guide its commitment to ethical leadership throughout the community.
“Over the past 15 years, the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics has demonstrated that knowledge is essential to ethical leadership,” COE Executive Director Christie Kelley said. “Through ongoing education and training, we aim to prevent misconduct and foster a culture where ethics is recognized and valued across all areas of local government.”
The Commission on Ethics encourages those under its jurisdiction to follow the motto, “Ask first, act later,” by seeking guidance before taking action that may raise ethical concerns. To date, the COE has published more than 550 advisory opinions, providing clear and timely advice on ethical matters. To learn more about the COE, including opinions, complaint procedures and disclosure forms, or to schedule a speaker, visit www.palmbeachcountyethics.com.
