Fulton commission’s conflict-of-interest rules tightened

Fulton County commissioners will start signing annual statements saying they didn’t vote on any contracts in which they had an improper conflict of interest. Prompted by Vice Chair Emma Darnell, the panel voted unanimously to impose the new rule on themselves.

A consulting firm hired to review the procurement process concluded that existing ethics rules aren’t adequate and recommended commissioners sign the statements, which will be due each year on April 15. A conflict could include commissioners, their businesses or members of their family having a stake in a contract award.