Bangor Ethics Board reviews procedural rules, discusses council dialogue

The Bangor Board of Ethics approved its June 30 minutes and the written findings of fact for Council Order 26-152. Members then began a multi-month review of the board's procedural rules, focusing on the scope of public comment and restrictions on off-meeting discussions. Chair John Eddy King III proposed that the board chair make themselves available to the City Council for a dialogue to clarify the board's role and address misconceptions.

Key points

• The board unanimously approved the minutes from the June 30, 2026 meeting.
• The board approved the written findings of fact regarding Council Order 26-152 without amendment.
• Members debated Section 5.4 of the procedural rules, questioning whether the board is legally required to open the floor to the general public or only to parties directly involved in a referral.
• The board discussed the clarity of rules prohibiting members from discussing pending matters outside of meetings, noting that state law generally allows two members to converse but prohibits quorum discussions.
• Chair King III proposed that the board chair attend a Government Operations meeting to explain the board's processes to the City Council, a motion that received initial support from present members.

Next steps

• Chair King III will consult with the City Solicitor's office to determine the legal basis for the public comment requirement in Section 5.4.
• The board will continue reviewing and potentially amending its procedural rules at upcoming meetings.
• The board will seek input from absent members regarding the proposal for the chair to meet with the City Council.

Read the full transcript