Fort Wright has been a Kentucky League of Cities City of Ethics since 2017. They are one of 34 cities in Kentucky that “have adopted principles and procedures that offer guidance on ethical issues.” Specifically, the principles and procedures are in accordance with a model provided by the Kentucky League of Cities.
At the Oct. 16 caucus meeting, they completed the recertification training required every four years. Michael Simon, the Kentucky League of Cities Personnel Services Attorney, provided the training for council, staff, and members of the city’s Ethics Board.
Fort Wright most recently updated their code of ethical conduct in September 2024. The same ordinance created the city’s ethics board. The ethics board includes Timothy Theissen, former Fort Wright city attorney, Joseph Nienaber Jr., former Fort Wright mayor, and Adam Feinauer, former Fort Wright city council member. Katie Baker is an alternate.
Up to now, Fort Wright hasn’t had many ethics complaints, so they didn’t have an ethics board.
“In my 25 years, there has only been one ethics complaint,” Mayor Dave Hatter said.
The new ordinance requires the ethics board to meet at least once a year.
LINK asked Hatter what it means for Fort Wright to be a City of Ethics
“I think that we have an obligation to the people that live here to operate in the most honest, ethical, and transparent way possible,” Hatter said. “We work for the public, not the other way around.”