What is the process to create a Municipal Ethics Board?

The creation of a Municipal Ethics Board is established by ordinance, which is the correct answer. An ordinance is a formal legislative action by a governing body that typically pertains to local laws, regulations, or the establishment of entities such as boards. This process ensures that the creation of the Ethics Board follows the appropriate legal framework and public procedure, allowing for transparency and public input.

Municipal Ethics Boards have specific responsibilities to oversee ethical conduct within the municipality, and establishing them via an ordinance provides the necessary legal authority and structure defined by local statutes. This also aligns with the requirements set forth in New Jersey’s Local Government Ethics Law, which emphasizes that such boards must be formally established to operate effectively and enforce ethical standards for municipal officials and employees.

Using a resolution or executive order for this purpose would not meet the legal requirements, as resolutions are typically used for more temporary decisions or expressions of policy, while executive orders are more applicable to actions taken by one authority without involvement from the legislative body. Additionally, creating a Municipal Ethics Board by committee does not provide the necessary formal recognition and authority that an ordinance does. Thus, an ordinance is the appropriate and legally recognized method for establishing a Municipal Ethics Board in New Jersey.