Ethics reforms a good step

The Salt Lake County Commission's unanimous approval of a package of ethics reforms was an important step in restoring public trust, which has eroded amid a number of scandals this past year.

The reforms eliminate car allowances, replacing them with a mileage allowance; cap campaign donations; require county lobbyists to register; and prohibit county contractors from making political contributions to county candidates. The reforms encourage all branches of government to keep meetings and records open, even when not required by law.

Each of these reforms is an important step in repairing the damage done by the so-called guzzlegate and hiregate scandals, which have resulted in resignations, demotions and criminal charges filed against former Salt Lake Mayor Nancy Workman and former Salt Lake County Auditor Craig Sorensen. Workman is on paid administrative leave awaiting trial on felony charges that she allegedly took $17,000 in health department funds to place a bookkeeper at the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley. Her daughter, Aisza Wilde, was development director for the clubs. Sorensen was sentenced to 10 days in jail in October for stealing fuel by using a county-issued credit card for personal use. He has paid restitution in the case.

But as council members on both sides of the political aisle have observed, the ordinances are a starting point. Elected officials, officers and employees alike must commit to follow all county ordinances, state and federal laws and work in the best interest of the public. Given the events of the past year, newly elected county officials and those serving in ongoing capacities must embrace and support these reforms, which should help restore public confidence in county government and prevent future scandals.

However, some of the scandals that have rocked the county in the past year were expressly prohibited under existing law and policy. Some people embroiled in these issues blamed sloppy bookkeeping. But for others, the scandals smacked of a sense of entitlement. When elected and appointed officials become so self-important that they lose focus on their master — the taxpaying public — they must be reined in.

The adoption of these ethics reforms probably will not rid the county of future scandals. But they create a strong framework of expectations. From this point on, no county employee can feign ignorance about the established boundaries.