Complaints, Advisory Opinions, & Waivers

Complaints

Under the Code of Conduct and Ethics Program, any individual may submit to the City Clerk a complaint alleging violations of one of the following: 

• The Code of Conduct (Article I) by a Councilmember or a member of a City Committee or Commission;
  
  
• The Code of Ethics (Article II) by a Councilmember or a member of a City Committee or Commission; or
  
  
• The ethics standards contained in the City of Bainbridge Island Employee Manual by a City employee other than the City Manager.

To facilitate timely review under this Ethics Program, each complaint may only allege violations of one of the three standards listed above. To the extent that an individual believes multiple standards were violated, the individual may submit multiple complaints using the forms included on this webpage.

Code of Conduct Complaints (Article I)

Article I of the Code of Conduct and Ethics Program sets out a Code of Conduct, consisting of core values and ethical principles, to promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct among City Councilmembers and members of City Committees and Commissions.

Individuals seeking to submit a complaint alleging a violation of the Code of Conduct (Article I) by a Councilmember or a member of a City Committee or Commission should complete the Code of Conduct (Article I) Complaint Form and submit it to the City Clerk at cityclerk@bainbridgewa.gov. 

2021 Code of Conduct (Article I) Advisory Opinions

If the Ethics Board recommends that an advisory opinion be issued, it will be published once the review process is complete. 

2020 Code of Conduct (Article I) Advisory Opinions

If the Ethics Board recommends that an advisory opinion be issued, it will be published once the review process is complete. 

Ethics Complaints (Article II)

Article II of the Code of Conduct and Ethics Program sets out a Code of Ethics governing the conduct of Councilmembers and members of City Committees and Commissions related to the acceptance of gifts, use of City property, confidentiality, and specific conflicts of interest.

Individuals seeking to submit a complaint alleging a violation of the Code of Ethics (Article II) by a Councilmember or a member of a City Committee or Commission should complete the Ethics (Article II Complaint Form and submit it to the City Clerk at cityclerk@bainbridgewa.gov.

2021 Article II Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Sanctions (if Imposed)

If an ethics (Article II) complaint was referred to the Hearing Examiner, the Hearing Examiner’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, along with any sanctions imposed by the City Council, will be published once the review process is complete. 

Ethics Complaints Regarding City Employees
Individuals seeking to submit a complaint regarding a City employee should complete the Employee Ethics Complaint Form and submit it to the City Clerk at cityclerk@bainbridgewa.gov.

Under the City’s Code of Conduct and Ethics Programs, complaints regarding City Employees are referred to the City Manager for review. The City Manager determines the appropriate course of action to address the complaint, including, as applicable, authorizing such investigations as may be necessary to determine whether a violation has occurred, consistent with state law as well as relevant policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements. 

Advisory Opinions 
Under the Code of Conduct and Ethics Program, the following individuals or bodies may submit to the City Clerk a request for an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board:

• A Councilmember or member of a City Committee or Commission may request an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board as to whether their own behavior has violated or might in the future violate the Code of Conduct (Article I) or the Code of Ethics (Article II).
  
  
• The City Council may request an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board regarding City policies or practices in relation to the Code of Conduct (Article I) or the Code of Ethics (Article II).
  
  
• City Committees and Commissions may request an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board regarding operating rules or practices in relation to the Code of Conduct (Article I) or the Code of Ethics (Article II).
  
  
• A Councilmember may request an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board concerning the applicability of the Code of Ethics (Article II) to hypothetical circumstances and/or situations related to the actions, or potential actions, of a Councilmember or a member of a City Committee or Commission. 

Individuals or bodies named above seeking to submit a request for an advisory opinion should complete the Advisory Opinion Request Form and submit it to the City Clerk at cityclerk@bainbridgewa.gov.

2021  Advisory Opinions (Article II)

2020 Advisory Opinions (Article II)

Waivers
Councilmembers may request a waiver from the Ethics Board of the conflict of interest restrictions related to the hiring of and supervision over family members, as provided by Article II, Section F of the Code of Conduct and Ethics Program.

Councilmembers seeking to submit a request for a waiver should complete the Waiver Request Form and submit it to the City Clerk at cityclerk@bainbridgewa.gov.

2021 Requests for Waivers
Posted once response is issued. 

2019 Complaints and Requests for Advisory Opinions

Published once response is issued.

2018 Complaints and Requests for Advisory Opinions

Posted once the determination or advisory opinion is issued.

2017

N/A

2016 Advisory Opinions

2016-01 Request for an Advisory Opinion  and Response 

2015

N/A

2014 Advisory Opinions

2014-01 Request for an Advisory Opinion  and Response 

2014 Complaints

2014-01 Complaint  and Determination 

2014-02 Complaint  Response and Determination 

2013 Complaints 

2013-01 Complaint (PDF) and Determination (PDF)

2013-02 Complaint (PDF) and Determination (PDF)

2013-03 Complaint (PDF) and Determination (PDF)

View the list of prior years