Same—Powers and duties.
Wilmington City Code § 2-344
in effectSec. 2-344. - Same—Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the ethics commission shall be to:
(1) Recommend to the mayor and city council from time to time such rules of ethics for city employees, elected officials, appointed officials and honorary officials as it shall deem appropriate.
(2) Issue written advisory opinions upon the request of any city employee, elected official, appointed official, honorary official or city agency as to the applicability of this division to any particular fact or situation.
(3) Refer to the city solicitor to investigate any alleged violation of this division and, after notice and hearing, to recommend by resolution such disciplinary action as it may deem appropriate, to the city agency employing the city employee, elected official or appointed official, the city agency with which the honorary official is associated, the agency or official who appointed such officer or official, or other appropriate official or agency as the commission shall determine. The commission may also dismiss, without reference to the city solicitor, any complaint which the commission determines is frivolous or fails to state a violation.
(4) Report to the appropriate federal, state or city authorities any substantial evidence of a violation of any criminal law which may come to its attention in connection with any proceeding whether advisory or disciplinary.
(5) Maintain a file of its proceedings, waiver decisions and advisory opinions with a view toward achieving consistency of opinions and recommendations subject to the confidentiality requirements of sections 2-342(b) and 2-345(h).
(6) Follow the procedural rules specified in section 2-345 and establish such other procedural rules as shall not be inconsistent with the rules prescribed therein.
(7) Subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations, take evidence and require by subpoena the production of books, papers, records or other evidence needed for the performance of the commission's duties or exercise of its powers.
(8) Prescribe forms for reports, statements, notices and other documents required by law.
(9) Prepare and publish manuals and guides explaining the duties of individuals covered by this division, and giving instructions and public information materials to facilitate compliance with, and enforcement hereof.
(10) Provide assistance to city agencies, city employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and honorary officials in administering the provisions of this law.
(11) Prepare reports and studies to advance the purposes of this division.
(12) Contract for any services which cannot satisfactorily, practically, or ethically be performed by the office of the city solicitor.
(13) Request appropriate city agencies to provide such professional assistance as it may require in the discharge of its duties.
(Ord. No. 92-073(sub 1), § 1(20-109), 11-5-92; Ord. No. 18-043, § 9, 10-4-18)
Source: City of Wilmington, Delaware, City Code, City Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/de/wilmington/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIWICO_CH2AD_ARTVDEAGCROR_DIV6CIETRE_S2-344SAOWDUFetched: 11/6/2026