Valparaiso close to joining region ethics commission

The commission is an all-volunteer effort that provides formal ethics training for members' employees and on a regular basis to elected officials and their appointees to various boards and commissions. The commission currently has 17 member communities in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

Valparaiso has had three presentations by the commission over the last several years but has been unable to join because the training program, until recently, didn't work well with the city in terms of logistics and geographics, said City Administrator Bill Oeding. Recent changes in the commission's training has made it possible for the city to join.

After the City Council heard a pitch Monday from Cal Bellamy, the commission's president, it approved a first reading of an ordinance to join. Mayor Jon Costas told Bellamy he can feel confident the ordinance will pass a final vote at the council's next meeting March 9.

The fee for Valparaiso to enroll in the commission is $2,500 followed by $1,800 each additional year. Requirements for the city to join include appointing a private citizen to serve on the commission to represent the community and to designate a public official to serve on the Joint Board of Delegates.

The commission is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will hold its Ethics Summit March 12 at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville.