Kennewick City Council approves Ethics Officer

The Kennewick City Council approved a change to its Code of Ethics Tuesday night, including the creation of the position of Ethics Officer.

On a 5-to-2 vote, the ordinance passed that sets up a way to address complaints against council members and can only be initiated by two fellow council members under oath.

The Ethics Officer will be a contracted position empowered to recommend penalties from admonishment to a monetary fine, and needing majority approval of the full City Council.