Fayette County changes ethics procedures

Fayette County has revised its procedures for investigating and punishing ethics ordinance violations involving county officials.

The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 recently to approve a process in which ethics allegations would be initially heard by the board; complaints found to have merit would be referred to a panel of three non-Fayette County attorneys, which would issue a written decision within 15 days of a public hearing. The panel would also decide the punishment for violations.