Ethics Commission

About the Commission

The City of Boise Ethics Commission, the first of its kind in Idaho, is made up of five members from the community. These volunteers are a mix of two appointees from Council, two appointees from the Mayor and one city employee who is nominated by the city's Wages and Benefits team. Together, they investigate potential violations of the city's Code of Ethics by city employees and elected officials, working in consultation with the offices of the City Attorney and Human Resources. Their job is to ensure the city's government runs with honesty and integrity for Boise. 

Boise City Ethics Commission Annual Report (PDF)

Contact Us

It is important that everyone interested in using the Ethics Commission process be fully informed. Please read all the definitions and instructions before submitting your comments or concerns.

For City Employees, Officials and Volunteers Only: Request for an Advisory Opinion

Any current employee, or elected or appointed official may submit a written request to the Ethics Commission for advisory opinions on whether any conduct by that person would constitute a violation of the Boise City Code of Ethics.

The Ethics Commission shall render an advisory opinion pursuant to written rules adopted by the Commission. Employees, officials and volunteers of the City of Boise can request an advisory opinion by filing a Request for Advisory Opinion Form or email your request at ethicscommission@cityofboise.org.

Inquiries

Any person may file an inquiry with the Ethics Commission asking whether a current elected or appointed official or employee has failed to comply with the Boise City Code of Ethics. The City Clerk or designee shall accept inquiries on behalf of the Ethics Commission and shall immediately transmit such inquiry to the Commission or its designee.

Please describe the facts that you believe constitute a violation of the Boise City Code of Ethics in sufficient detail so that the Boise City Ethics Commission and the person who is the subject of the inquiry can understand the nature of the alleged violation. Give as much detail as possible, including names, relationships, approximate dates, etc. Please note, a copy of the inquiry will be sent to the person who is the subject of the inquiry and may be made available to the public.

If you wish to file an inquiry about more than one person, you must file a separate inquiry form (and any attachments) for each person. Employees of the City of Boise and members of the public can refer an issue to the Ethics Commission for possible review by filing a referral using the Inquiry Form, emailing your request to ethicscommission@cityofboise.org, or calling the 24-hour Ethics Hotline by dialing (208) 972-8108. Callers may choose to remain anonymous, although doing so may limit the Commission's ability to fully investigate an issue.

General Comment

Any comments or suggestions not related to either a Request for Inquiry or a Request for an Advisory Opinion can be done by email at ethicscommission@cityofboise.org

Meetings

The Ethics Commission meets the 2nd Thursday of the month in January, March, May, July, September and November at 3:30 p.m. in the Maryanne Jordan Council Chambers on the third floor of Boise City Hall unless otherwise noted, and may call special meetings as business needs require.

Ethics Commission Agendas and Minutes

*If the Agendas + Minutes link takes you to a different board or commission landing page, please select "Ethics Commission" from the meeting group in the left column.

Ethics Handbook

Download the Ethics Handbook.

Download (PDF)

Review Previous Advisory Opinions

View Advisory Opinions

Review Previous Inquiries

The Inquiry Opinions contained on this page are unofficial and for information purposes only.  A certified copy of any advisory opinion contained on this page may be requested from the Ethics Commission in writing to: Boise Ethics Commission, 150 N. Capitol Blvd., Boise, Idaho  83702.

Inquiry 22-05: Inquiry regarding ethical implications of dual office holding by a City Official.

Inquiry 22-03, 22-04: Inquiry whether certain alleged actions of the mayor and city councilmembers violated the Code of Ethics.

Inquiry 22-01, 22-02: Inquiry regarding whether a city official's retention of certain personal property violated the Code of Ethics.

Inquiry 10-01: Inquiry regarding whether the actions of a city employee in the context of a public records matter was in violation of the Ethics Code.

Inquiry 07-01: Inquiry regarding whether disclosure of conflict of interest and disqualification was sufficient.

Commission Members

Chair Addison King

Addison King has been the Custodial Supervisor for the Boise Airport since April 2015 and serves as the Ethics Commission’s employee member. Mr. King is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is a veteran of the United States Army. Since coming to Idaho in 2008, Mr. King has worked for the Stanford Research Institution (SRI) as a Field Engineer Team Leader, Varsity Contractors as a Floor Technician Supervisor, and St. Luke’s Hospital as an EVS Supervisor. Mr. King’s education includes three years at Boise State University, a graduate course in Leadership Development through Boise State University and courses in Criminal Justice through ITI Technical College. Mr. King is also a proud 2017 graduate of LEADBoise, an internal leadership development program offered to employees by the City of Boise.

Vice-Chair Luke Howarth

Luke Howarth received his B.A. of Accounting and Business Management from the College of Idaho, Caldwell, ID and his J.D. Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law, Moscow, ID. He has worked as an Assistant General Counsel and Director of Market Analytics for J.R. Simplot Company, General Counsel for Scandinavian Designs, and currently works as General Counsel for Ridley’s Family Markets. Mr. Howarth was appointed to the ethics commission by the Boise City Council in May 2021.

Commissioner Monica Church

Monica Church began teaching in Meridian in 2011 and joined the faculty at Boise High School in 2014. She has a B.A. in Philosophy and Cultural Anthropology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA; a B.A in History from Boise State University; a BA/Certification in secondary education Social Studies, and is working on her M.S. in Educational Leadership in Western Governor’s University. Ms. Church serves on the Board of Directors for the Frank Church Institute, Boise State University – School of Public Services and on the Board of Governors for the Andrus Center, Boise State University – School of Public Service. Ms. Church was appointed to the ethics commission by Mayor David Bieter in October 2019.

Commissioner Tony Roark

Tony Roark is a professor of philosophy at Boise State University and formerly served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho and earned his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Washington. He has taught courses and published research on the subject of ethics. In addition to having served on the Ethics Commission since 2005, Tony served for six years on the State Department of Education’s Professional Standards Commission.

Commissioner Bernie Zimmerman

Bernie Zimmerman is a licensed clinician who specializes in college and career counseling and consultation. Bernie received his BS in Psychology, MA in Counseling and Executive MBA, all from Boise State University. He has been an administrator in the mental health field for over 25 years. In addition to the commission, he serves on the Boise State University Alumni board and is an Honorary Commander for the 124th Force Support Squadron. He was appointed to the ethics commission by the Boise City Council in March 2023