The Spalding County Board of Commissioners will have a called meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday to review alleged violations of the Spalding County Code of Ethics.

The meeting, announced Monday morning, is regarding alleged ethics violations by a commissioner. The official notice by the county notes an alleged violation of the county Code of Ethics citing Part II Government & Administration, Chapter 12, Section 2-1204(b), which refers to violations by members of the board of commissioners.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m., in Room 108 of the Courthouse Annex, 219 East Solomon St.

According to Section 2-1204(b), if a complaint is received by the clerk of the board of commissioners which alleges a prima facie violation of the code of ethics by a member of the board of commissioners, then and in such event, the remaining commissioners shall review the allegations.

But unlike violations by employees or covered members, where if determined, the board can set a penalty, if three commissioners agree that a prima facie violation by a commissioner of the ethics ordinance is presented, then an independent review board shall be convened.

According to county code, the review board, is comprised of three citizens of Spalding County who have been nominated by the county commissioner in their district to serve on the review board. Each commissioner, at the beginning of his term, appointed three citizens that reside in his district to be placed in a pool of citizens to serve as a review board, and those in the district of the accused commissioner are excluded.

Once convened, the review board will conduct a public hearing based upon the complaint. A majority vote of the review board shall determine whether or not a violation of the ethics ordinance has occurred.

Upon reaching their decision, the review board shall submit to the county clerk their written findings whether or not a violation of this ordinance has occurred. Upon the filing of said report, the review board shall have completed its duties under this ordinance and shall be discharged from service.

Any person who is aggrieved by the findings of the review panel shall have the right to seek a writ of certiorari to the Superior Court of Spalding County.

And finally, if the review board determines an ethics ordinance violation has occurred, then a majority of the board of commissioners shall set a penalty. The possible penalties for a commissioner are as follows:

• Written reprimand or public censure, which shall be printed in the Griffin Daily News and posted in the courthouse as well as the courthouse annex;

• A fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000 in addition to a written reprimand and/or public censure.

Only covered members and employees, but not elected officials, under the county code can be removed from office for ethics violations under the county code, along with the written reprimand, censure and/or fine.