Panel Urges Tighter Ethics Rules For Md. County

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A task force is recommending tighter ethics rules for Frederick County officials amid a contracting dispute.

The Frederick News-Post reports that the panel voted Thursday to recommend the changes to the Frederick County Council.

One proposed change would forbid county elected officials from bidding on county-funded construction projects.

The issue arose last month when the county ethics commission found no conflict of interest in allowing Councilman Kirby Delauter's construction company to bid on county contracts. County Executive Jan Gardner disagreed and issued an executive order barring the practice. Three of the commission's five members then resigned in protest.

Gardner says the ethics ordinance should be amended to include the recommendations. But she acknowledges the proposals will likely provoke debate on the County Council.