The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics was created using several best practices. However, the commission could benefit from

• clarifying commissioner and staff roles and responsibilities to better separate investigative, prosecutorial, and quasi-judicial functions;
• increasing awareness of conflict of interest issues in commissioner orientation and training and defining the terms bias, interest, and prejudice in procedures relating to disqualification of members from hearings;
• suggesting consideration of modifications to the county ethics code to address issues related to its expanded jurisdiction over municipalities, lobbyists, and vendors;
• enhancing commissioner training; and
• strengthening its performance accountability system by improving performance measures and developing a strategic plan.