Ethics Commission

Members

Johanna Bishop, Chairperson

Sally Jensen, Vice-Chairperson 

Brandon Brice  

Robert Hicks     

Robert W. Ralston 

Kellie Tetrick

Charles H. Toliver, IV          

About the Commission

The Ethics Commission conducts its meetings in accordance with the Delaware Code 29 Del. C10001-10005. The Delaware Code applies to a public body when it is engaged in a legislative or advisory function. The code does not apply to the Ethics Commission when it meets to consider a complaint or a request for an advisory opinion, waiver, or personnel issues because consideration of these matters is an executive function under the code. Therefore, although the commission may provide public notice of a meeting, the meeting itself may not be subject to the code. Even when the commission is engaged in a function subject to the code, the commission may conduct all or part of that meeting in closed session as permitted under Title 29.

Statement from the New Castle County Ethics Commission regarding 1/6/21 violence at U.S.Capitol

Public Meeting Minutes

May 17, 2023 Public Meeting Minutes

April 12, 2023, Public Meeting Minutes

March 8, 2023 Public Meeting Minutes

February 8, 2023 Public Meeting Minutes

December 14, 2022 Public Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2022 Public Meeting Minutes

MONTHLY MEETING INFORMATION

Monthly meeting: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 (4:30 p.m.) (CANCELLED) 

Next meeting, Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Monthly Meeting Agenda

(Zoom info for meetings is provided on Agenda) 

TRAINING SCHEDULE "2023" 

Dates TBD**

*Trainings will be held via Zoom.   Please contact Human Resources to register.

Training Materials

Annual Report

2022 Annual Report (PDF)

Synopses of Advisory Opinions, Waivers and Final Orders 1991-2021

Ethics Code

The current New Castle County Ethics Code is available on the County’s Municode website below:

Commission Authority, Complaints and Sanctions (2.04.103, A-H)

Code of Conduct and Financial Disclosure (2.03)

Ethics Commission Regulations (PDF)

Statement of Financial Interests

In 1990, the New Castle County Council created an ethics code and an Ethics Commission. The ethics code prohibits conflicts of interest and appearance of impropriety in the conduct of New Castle County public officials and employees. It also requires specified public officials and employees to file Statements of Financial Interest by May 1st of each year on a format provided by the commission. Candidates for county elective office must also file a statement at a date set in the state election code.

To file or view a Statement of Financial Interests form click here.

Advisory Opinions and Complaints

The ethics code provides authority for the Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions at the request of public officials and employees, as well as to investigate all complaints of unethical conduct, and to apply sanctions if the complaints are proven. The requests for advisory opinions can be made electronically, but complaints must contain an original signature.

Advisory opinions from 1991 to the present are available for review and download on this website. However, there may be outstanding advisory opinions not yet published.

Request/Search/View Advisory Opinions and Orders

Brochures

Gift Law Brochure (PDF)
Government Ethics Brochure (PDF)
Post Employment Restrictions Brochure (PDF)
Recusal Brochure (PDF)
Whistle Blower Brochure

Holiday Gift Guidelines 2022

Forms for Download

Complaint Form (PDF)
Opinion Form (PDF