Peachtree City has amended its ethics ordinance to allow the city to recoup legal fees from individuals who file complaints found to be “frivolous, unreasonable or groundless.” The move results in part from a recent complaint filed against City Council member Mike King, which was dismissed earlier this month by an independent hearing officer.

The council voted 5-0 on Aug. 18 to approve the change, which permits (but does not require) reimbursement of legal fees incurred by the city as well as the person against whom the complaint was filed. Repayment of legal fees would have to be determined by a separate hearing and vote.