KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
At last week’s Kodiak Island Borough Assembly work session one of the items on the agenda was a review of the borough’s "Conflict of Interest Code." Assembly member Louise Stutes has introduced a proposal to replace the borough’s "Conflict of Interest Code" with a "Code of Ethics." The topic generated considerable public comment and discussion by assembly members.
The current code of ethics forbids assembly members from participating in decisions which would result in their own personal financial gain. Stute’s proposal expands the definition of conflict of interest beyond personal financial gain. Her proposal suggests that assembly members should not be allowed to serve on the board of a non-profit that receives money from the borough. At last week’s assembly work session Stutes further explained her proposed revision of the conflict of interest code:
— (conflict of interest code 1 1:08 "..place to start from.)
Assembly member Pat Branson,works for a non-profit agency in Kodiak. Attending Thursday’s meeting by phone, Branson said she was concerned about the wording in the code revisions as presented in the proposal.
— (conflict of interest code 2 :42 "…are looking at this.")
Tom Quass is the executive director of the Kodiak Arts Council. Quass was one of a handful of residents who addressed the issue of assembly members volunteering with non-profit groups.
— (conflict of interest code 3 :49 "make a better decision for it)
While the specifics of the code are still in question, the members of the assembly appeared agreeable to the idea of creating a code of ethics for the borough to adopt. Seven of the eighteen Alaska Boroughs have adopted ethics codes.
Assembly member Branson suggested they study the codes of other organizations.
— (conflict of interest code 4 :35 "…other agencies do so as well.")
The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly will meet later this month to further review and discuss the borough’s Conflict of Interest Code.
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