City council seeks volunteers for Ethics Advisory Committee

David Penticuff, Muncie Star Press
Updated ·2 min read

MUNCIE, Ind. – On Monday, Muncie’s City Council will be making appointments to its Ethics Advisory Committee, building on a resolution passed by the council in April to define and create an Ethics Commission for the city of Muncie over the next 18 months.

“This is a critically important step in a process that will culminate in the creation of a City of Muncie Ethics Commission and, more importantly, the delivery of ethical outcomes for the benefit of our citizens,” said Jeff Robinson, president of city council, in a press release calling for volunteers for the committee.

Muncie City Council members listen to members of the public speak in April, prior to considering a resolution to create an Ethics Advisory Committee for development of a City Ethics Commission.
Muncie City Council members listen to members of the public speak in April, prior to considering a resolution to create an Ethics Advisory Committee for development of a City Ethics Commission.

The Ethics Advisory Committee will be a nine-person committee, consisting of two professionals in human resources; a certified public accountant; two attorneys licensed to practice in Indiana; a representative of the Ball State University Bowen Center for Public Affairs; an ethics professor from the Ball State University Department of Philosophy; and two Muncie citizens.

"The committee will be responsible for establishing standards and guardrails, defining composition, terms, method of appointment, power and authority, and jurisdiction of the City of Muncie Ethics Commission," according to the press release.

The council said in the release that it welcomes everyone interested in helping to create a commission for accountability and transparency to submit their name for consideration.

More: City Council creates committee to develop ethics commission for Muncie government

"Muncie has a long history of questionable behavior by public servants and the City Council believes it’s past time for our city to join other communities in Indiana seeking a trustworthy local government," the Council statement said. "This is an opportunity for the City of Muncie to put a system in place to help limit unsavory behavior by public servants and those working for them, and we need citizen participation to do so."

Volunteers can submit their names to any city council member via email found on the city of Muncie’s website.

The council said this is an opportunity for Muncie citizens to be a part of the solution.

"We humbly request your service to the community," the statement said.

The council will conduct its meeting on Monday, June 5, at 7 p.m. in the Muncie City Hall Auditorium.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: City council seeks volunteers for Ethics Advisory Committee