PORTLAND – The City of Portland will soon be inviting the public to apply to become members of its first ethics commission.

The commission is geared toward independent oversight of city and school department officials. Voters asked for it, along with an ethics ordinance, by voting on a ballot question on the subject back in 2022. 

After a series of amendments, the city council voted to finally pass it at its Feb. 24 meeting. Now, the council’s legislative and nominating committee has to fill the commission’s seven seats.

Councilor Kate Sykes, who sits on the committee, said the city already has mechanisms in place to handle unethical behavior on the part of public officials, but it is not a clear process. 

“Because that’s not a transparent process, it leaves it sort of up to the whim of the person that you talk to or the judgment of the person that you talk to,” she said. “We need a transparent process to make sure that all issues of ethics are brought forward and looked at in a fair and accountable way.”

Members will serve three years. The principal criteria for becoming a member, Sykes said, was that applicants must have lived in the city for at least three years. Elected officials are not allowed to apply. 

Sykes said the city clerk is expected to announce seats are available on the city’s website in April. She added that her committee will be meeting publicly to discuss membership starting in May.