HOBART | The City Council unanimously agreed last week to retain the current ethics policy but appoint a new ethics officer.

Four years have passed since city officials adopted an ethics policy, Clerk-Treasurer Deborah Longer told the City Council on Wednesday.

By law the policy, which was adopted Jan. 5, 2004, must be reviewed at least every four years, Longer said.

"In looking over the ethics policy, it needs to be updated," she said. "To date, my office has no knowledge of any noncompliance claims being filed with regard to this policy."

Former resident Christine Bertram, who was appointed ethics officer on Feb. 18, 2004, has since moved out of Hobart and can no longer serve, she said.

"There's no problems with the ethics policy as it stands. I'd be willing to approve it as it stands and go back and get a person to head it," said City Councilman Matt Claussen, D-at large.

City Councilman Brian Rosenbaum, D-3rd, suggested each council member submit names and resumes of those they'd like to see serve as the ethics officer.

The council will go over those names at a future meeting, he said.

The ethics policy says in part: "The purpose of the policy is to establish legal and ethical standards of conduct for all elected and appointed officials of the city and to require disclosures by all elected and appointed officials of private, financial or other interests in matters that may affect the city."