Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren has sent legislation to City Council that would create a city Office of Inspector General, that would take over and expand on the job done by the city’s Office of Public Integrity.
The mayor’s letter to council says Rochester’s inspector general would have power to independently investigate, audit and review city operations. She says the inspector general should be appointed by the mayor to a four-year term running alongside the mayor’s term in office.
The bill goes now to City Council Member Carolee Conklin’s Finance Committee. Conklin says City Council should advise and consent on the appointment…and that’s one amendment she wants to make.
The city inspector general would be forbidden to engage in political activity or attend campaign events and it would be illegal for the mayor, city council member or any city employee to obstruct an investigation.
Setting up the office would require a referendum in the November election. Mayor Warren says she hopes the law moves forward to promote integrity in government.