Wyandotte County residents who have an interest in serving on the Unified Government Ethics Commission may submit a written application to the legislative auditor’s office by 5 p.m. Friday, June 14.
Residents may send their written application to: Thomas L. Wiss, Legislative Auditor, Unified Government of Wyandotte County – Kansas City, Kansas 710 N. 7th St., Suite 140 Kansas City, Kansas 66101.
The Ethics Commission is made up of five members residing in Wyandotte County who are appointed by the Ad Hoc Ethics Commission Appointment Panel. Serving on that panel are Robert P. Burns, chief judge of Wyandotte County District Court; Mark A. Dupree Sr., Wyandotte County district attorney; and Thomas L. Wiss, UG legislative auditor.
Members of the Ethics Commission are unpaid and must be a Wyandotte County resident and be of good moral standing and reputation. The Ethics Commission members serve one, four-year term. Alternate cycles every two years allow for appointment of two new members in 2019.
The purpose of the Ethics Commission is to recommend ways to improve the Unified Government’s Ethics Code, to review and report on any and all violations of the code of ethics, to render advisory opinions on questions of ethics, conflicts of interest, and the applicability of the code of ethics, according to a spokesman. The Ethics Commission currently meets monthly.
All applicants are required to include a brief written statement as to why he or she desires to serve on the Ethics Commission and a brief written resume accompanied by a listing of public service work. The contents of all applications will be held in strict confidence by the Ad Hoc Panel, according to a spokesman.