Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued the following statement after the Mayor’s Task Force for the Promotion of Public Trust concluded their final meeting this week.

“Thank you to Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and members of the Task Force for their diligent and thoughtful work to strengthen the City’s ethical safeguards. The end result of their efforts has laid the groundwork for the Administration and City Council to come together and work toward the shared goal of delivering the transparent and accountable government the people of Atlanta deserve.

“We look forward to working with the City Council to implement the Task Force’s recommendations—including the creation of the position of Inspector General, independently overseeing the City’s investigative operations. The Inspector General will not only investigate misconduct, but also work proactively to prevent wrongdoing before it occurs.

“Now is the time for us to come together and ensure that the tone continues to be set from the top—the City will not tolerate, excuse or ignore illegal or unethical behavior. In the end, together, we will have set the greatest of expectations of City officials and employees.”

Earlier this year, Mayor Bottoms introduced a Resolution to create the Task Force for the Promotion of Public Trust. The Task Force is part of a broader effort by the Bottoms’ Administration to build a more transparent and accountable government. Since taking office, Mayor Bottoms has launched Open Checkbook, ushered in sweeping credit card reform policies, expanded oversight of the awarding of performance bonuses for City of Atlanta personnel and appointed the City’s first ever Chief Transparency Officer.