Committee begins review of disclosure and ethics proposals; corp counsel review expected, policy decision targeted by year-end

Committee members reviewed an informal staff spreadsheet comparing Michigan's new disclosure statute with draft local proposals and said they will study the materials before the next meeting. The committee emphasized the need for legal review and practical clarity on items such as reporting thresholds for gifts and whether certain collections or investments must be itemized.

Staff presented a side-by-side worksheet outlining elements of the state law and other proposals. A commissioner noted the state statute includes a range of disclosure categories and that a corporation-counsel review of the county's authority is pending. "I would expect by the next [meeting] that we'll have at least something that we can start reviewing," a county staff member said. The committee set an aim — working with the executive office and counsel — to adopt a local policy by the end of the calendar year.

Discussion focused on two practical questions: (1) whether the policy should include a monetary threshold for reporting gifts and swag picked up at events, and (2) how to treat tangible collectibles or investments (for example, whether a wine or art collection acquired for resale is reportable under a disclosure rule). Staff indicated the state form treats investment assets differently and often requires listing asset categories rather than precise values; local policy could be designed to add clarity or thresholds.

Commissioners agreed to review the packet and to discuss specific lines — such as arts/collectibles and the gifts category — at the next meeting. The committee did not take a formal vote and no local policy was adopted at the session. Staff said the corporation counsel's statutory/constitutional review remains outstanding and will inform any local policy design.