The Santa Fe County Ethics Board consists of five members who are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The primary duty of the Ethics Board is to enforce the County Cody of Conduct (Ordinance No. 2022-03). The Santa Fe Code of Conduct authorizes the Ethics Board to hold public hearings and make findings of fact and conclusions of law with regard to sworn complaints alleging violations of the Santa Fe County Code of Conduct by Elected Officials, Appointed Officials, or Volunteers.
Ethics Board Members
Carol Thompson (Chair)
June 29, 2021-June 29, 2023
Michael Rosanbalm (Vice Chair)
June 29, 2021-June 29, 2023
Gregory Coplans
June 29, 2021-June 29, 2023
Tom Quaid
July 25, 2022-June 29, 2023
Jonelle Maison
June 29, 2021-June 29, 2023
How Do I Report an Ethics Violation?
Section 23. Reporting Violations of This Ordinance
Any Elected Official, Appointed Official, Employee or Volunteer, or member of the public, may submit a complaint of unethical conduct to the County Ethics Board by delivering to the County Attorney's Office a sworn complaint alleging facts which, if true, would constitute a violation of this Ordinance.The County Attorney's office will forward all such sworn complaints to the County's contract ethics official who will determine whether the complaint states a claim under this Ordinance. The County's contract ethics official shall refer all employment matters to the County's Human Resources Department. If the complaint fails to state a claim under this Ordinance, the complaining party shall be so informed and the complaint shall be dismissed, subject to a right of appeal to the County Ethics Board. If the complaint states a claim under this Ordinance, the County's ethics official shall investigate the allegations, prepare a report and recommendations and shall present the same to the County Ethics Board for further proceedings. The County Ethics Board shall conduct a public hearing prior to taking any of the actions described in Section 24(H) of this Ordinance.
Please Note: No action may be taken by the County Ethics Board on any complaint that is filed later than one year after a violation of this Ordinance is alleged to have occurred or that is filed more than six months from the date of the discovery of the alleged violation, upon due diligence by the complaining party, of the facts constituting a violation, whichever event occurs later.
Section 26: Non-Retaliation
The Board of Commissioners does not tolerate retaliation, workforce discrimination or harassment of any kind against any person who has reported a violation of this Ordinance in good faith. This non-retaliation provision applies whether the complaint is ultimately determined to be well-founded or unfounded. All Elected Officials, Appointed Officials, Employees and Volunteers are specifically prohibited from taking any adverse employment action, engaging in workplace discrimination or harassment of any kind, or other retaliatory action against anyone for reporting a good faith claim of violation. Anyone who believes that they have been subject to workplace discrimination or harassment of any kind or who has been retaliated against in violation of this Ordinance should submit a sworn complaint to the Ethics Board or the Human Resources Department setting forth the claim.
This non-retaliation provision is not applicable to claims that were not submitted in good faith and for which the County Ethics Board finds that the complaint was frivolous.
Report a Violation to:
Santa Fe County Attorney's Office
102 Grant Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Ethics Board Ordinances
Ordinance 2010- 12
There shall be created a Santa Fe County Ethics Board that shall consist of three members who shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners. At least one citizen member shall be appointed; the citizen member shall not be affiliated with County government in any capacity, including, but not limited to, employment (including employment for which the salary is in any way funded by or through the County), appointment, election, or serving as a volunteer. The members of the County Ethics Board may not hold elected public office or office with any political party within the County. Each member shall serve a two year term, subject to reappointment thereafter.
Ordinance: 2011-9
Ethics Board Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2010-12
Santa Fe County Code of Conduct, Amending Definitions, Amending Disclosures to Require Affirmative Disclosures of Conflicts Resulting in Recusal or Otherwise, Increasing The County Ethics Board to Five Members, Including an Additional Penalty or Removal from Office, and Repealing Inconsistent Language
Ordinance No. 2022-03
Ethics Board Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2011-9
An Ordinance Enacting a Santa Fe County Code of Conduct; Repealing Ordinance Nos. 2010-12 and 2011-9
Ethics Board Meeting Information
The County Ethics Board does NOT have a regular meeting schedule. Instead, the Ethics Board convenes when a sworn complaint is submitted to the County Attorney's Office and forwarded to the Ethics Board for review. For a list of meeting documents (agendas, packet materials, and minutes) view the information below.
Ethics Board Staff Liaison
Olivia Romo
505-986-6202
orromo@santafecountynm.gov
2023 Meeting Documents
These are currently no meeting documents for 2023