(BIVN) – On Tuesday, the Hawaii County Board of Ethics sat down to talk with Charter Commission Chair Douglass Shipman Adams regarding his recent request for input. The Charter Commission meets once every ten years to consider making changes, if any are deemed necessary, to the county charter.

Adam’s visit sparked talk of changes to the charter that governs the Ethics Board. Among the topics discussed at the meeting held in Hilo:

• Board member Rick Robinson, who was not present for today’s meeting, wrote that he would like to consider changes two changes to the way the Ethics Board looks at county handles special, no-bid contractors. One possible change would be to require special contractors, hired under a non-bid contract for county work, to submit disclosure statements, much like other elected officials and administrators do. Another change would bring special contracts, issued by the mayor, before the Ethics Board for review before they are awarded.
• Board member Ken Goodenow discussed possible changes to the charter that would allow for civil fines.
• Board chair Ku Kahakalau talked about possible provisions that might address frivolous petitions, which have been an issue for the board in the past.

Adams himself was once a member of the Ethics Board. Adams said he welcomes any communications from the board should they come to any agreements on possible charter amendments. Adams said the Charter Commission is hoping to develop and / or have a first reading on many of the proposals before the end of this year or at the beginning of next year.