Ethics board weighs writing itself into Riverside's charter

The Raincross Gazette: Riverside's Board of Ethics on Thursday discussed amending the city charter to add the board to the charter and shift its appointment power to the city's future inspector general. The work sits with an ad hoc committee looking at ways to reduce conflicts of interest and insulate the board from council pressure.

Writing the board into the charter, similar to the Community Police Review Commission, would mean a future council couldn't dissolve or remove it, board members said. Moving appointments to the inspector general, the board argued, would cut the loyalty and recusal problems that come up when members are appointed by the same council members they may have to judge.

The changes are a discussion topic only. The city attorney noted there's no deadline to fill the inspector general post, the Charter Review Commission isn't yet formed, and any charter change would face a longer process before reaching voters.