Fulton’s ethics board would end Dec. 31. Pending complaints wouldn’t.

Fulton County’s Board of Ethics would disappear at year’s end, but pending complaints would survive the transition under an ordinance scheduled for commissioners’ Nov. 4 meeting. The agenda requests adoption of the revised code; it does not establish that the change has been approved.⁠[1][2]

Our earlier report outlined the Oct. 7 ethics-code proposal. The new adopting ordinance says commissioners approved item 26-0675 that day and directed the county attorney to prepare the rewrite. The Nov. 4 item now asks them to adopt the revised code itself.⁠[1][3]

The replacement system would divide the work: a screening officer would decide whether claims have probable cause, and a different hearing officer would hear those that advance. The county auditor would serve as county ethics officer and administer assignments—but could not investigate, screen or adjudicate complaints.⁠[2]

The county would first seek officers from an American Arbitration Association roster, with eligible part-time magistrate judges as the fallback. Assignments would be random or rotational, not chosen by commissioners for individual cases. No assignments could begin until at least five qualified, willing officers and the necessary service arrangements were in place.⁠[2]

Public access would depend on the stage of the case. To the fullest extent permitted by law, complaints and screening records would remain confidential until a probable-cause finding, withdrawal or a written request by the accused to make the matter public. Complainants and respondents could still discuss independently known conduct or information. Probable-cause findings and formal hearings would be public; screening dismissals would be published with the accused person’s identity redacted.⁠[2]

A missed screening deadline would not automatically kill a complaint. If no determination arrived within 45 days for reasons not attributable to the complainant, the case would go to another screening officer, with 30 days to decide. The code expressly bars dismissal merely because disposition was late.⁠[2]

For pending complaints, the transition would preserve completed procedural steps rather than start cases over. The new deadlines would run from Jan. 1, 2027, while the rules governing whether the alleged conduct was a violation—and what sanction could apply—would remain those in effect when the conduct occurred.⁠[2]

The Nov. 4 meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Assembly Hall at the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia.⁠[1]