London Ethics Board selects chair, welcomes new board member

Nita Johnson, The Sentinel Echo, London, Ky.
·2 min read

Apr. 17—Jane Dyche will serve another term as chair of the City of London's Ethics Board, while Jim Baker was welcomed as new board member.

Dyche has served as chair since the initial meeting, and was nominated to serve another term in that position during Wednesday's meeting.

Board member Jill Edwards nominated Dyche, with board members approving that nomination. Dyche, as the outgoing chair, called the meeting to order, then addressed agenda items including the newest board member.

Jim Baker joined the board, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of former board member Beth Wilson. Baker introduced himself, giving a brief description of his background.

"I'm lived in Laurel County all my life. I'm married to Cindy Chaney and we have two children. I recently retired from Chaney Lumber after 38 years," he said.

Business of the board involved financial disclosures from board members as well as city council members and candidates for city council. Dyche said the financial disclosures extended to all members of city boards and that the ethics board would be responsible if those members did not comply.

"We will be the ones to deal with it if they don't sign those. And we should also have the power to enforce it," Dyche said.

The financial disclosures are required to be completed by April 5, but since that date has passed, board members agreed to extend that date — for this year — until May 8. That is included in Section B(1) in the city's ethics ordinance. Dyche cited the Ethics Ordinance 2023-10, Section 3 to verify that requirement. Board members voted to have the city clerk to draft a letter to all city officials and/or staff that are required to submit the financial disclosure forms as a reminder.

Also addressed were the training requirements of ethics board members. Dyche said she would contact a training coordinator with the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) to schedule a training. Participants receive certification after completing the required training classes.

The ordinance also addresses involvement of ethics board members in other boards.

"The ordinance states that you cannot be on the Ethics Board if you are on any other city board," Dyche said.

The Ethics Board addresses compliance with city ordinances as well as complaints of ethical violations by city employees.