Jacksonville Beach officials recently conducted an annual review of the city’s Code of Ethics. The City Council adopted the Code of Ethics in February 2020 to define the standards of ethical conduct expected for all board members, including elected officials, appointed officials and committee members.
The policy promotes “accountable and responsible governance, personal integrity, and the highest standards of ethical conduct from its public officials in performance of their official public duties.”
If an individual receives a complaint violation, the first step is to issue a verbal warning followed by a written warning. A third violation would result in a suspension followed by a forfeiture of the position, whether elected or appointed.
City Attorney David Migut detailed the background and timeline for updates during a recent City Council briefing. This policy requires a yearly refresher by all city boards, with proposed changes considered in November of even-numbered years.
“There is language that says the policy which was approved by resolution shall be reviewed annually by the City Council and updates will be made as necessary. My plan to bring this before you was to just give you a timeline of minor procedural things I’m going to bring before you between now and November,” Migut said.
Migut will meet with members of each city board over the next several months to familiarize them with the training and bring forward any recommendations to council for consideration.
“We do have some new board members so it would probably be a good idea to do an annual training with them as well,” he said. “In addition to the annual ethics training, I will seek any feedback as to any proposed changes or concerns with this policy. If we do get any feedback, perhaps I will bring this back before you at another briefing in October.”
Among his recommendations is new language that stipulates the written opinion of the city attorney only applies to the Jacksonville Beach Code of Ethics. Migut is not authorized to give a definitive ruling on matters related to the state ethics code.
“I can give you advice and I can work with the Florida code of ethics. I just want to add some clarifying language so someone doesn’t misinterpret this,” Migut said. “I’d also like to add some clarifying language that the City Council can update this policy whenever they want. It’s not restricted to November.”
Council Member Sandy Golding questioned the timeframe for review, which is referenced as both annual and bi-annual. “I think we need to change it to say it would be reviewed bi-annually by the city council and/or commissions and committees as opposed to annually,” she said. “That puts it in line with the next sentence which says it shall be updated in November of even-numbered years.”
There is no state legislation that requires an annual review of the city’s ethics policy. City officials must complete four hours of yearly training on Sunshine Law and public records requirements.
During his tenure as city attorney, Migut has ruled on one ethics complaint filed against an advisory board member that came before the City Council in 2024. He recommended a verbal reprimand against a member of the city’s Planning Commission after an altercation with a neighbor resulted in an ethics complaint.
Golding said public officials have a responsibility to hold themselves to higher standards. “We have a code of ethics for a reason.”
