Last Updated on January 24, 2024, 9:50 AM | Published: January 24, 2024
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission sends this information as posted below:
After proactively working towards a solution, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission and Civix have today agreed and fully executed an addendum to their current software agreement to ensure the Oklahoma Ethics Commission’s online filing software system, The Guardian System (“TGS”), is in place through February 2025. The current election cycle, having already begun, will now remain in one system, available and open to every stakeholder, including those who are reporting to the Ethics Commission, the media, and the public for continued transparency and information regarding campaign finance. Executive Director Lee Anne Bruce Boone explained, “This addendum equals a great sigh of relief for not only the Ethics Commission, but for all those served by the Commission. The agreement ensures there is not a return to paper filings and the availability of all 2024 campaign finance information being housed under one system.”
Civix, the vendor of TGS, Oklahoma’s current reporting and public transparency system, notified the Ethics Commission last year that it intended to cease support of TGS as of July 1, 2024. Civix further stated they would be willing to extend support of TGS if a Statement of Work was executed to design and build a new platform for our reporting system. With the sunset of TGS and the proposed upgrading to a new platform, the Commission began exploration of a new system and requested $1.6 million as part of its FY 2025 budget request. With the change in leadership of the Ethics Commission, new Director Bruce Boone continued discussions with Civix in hopes of executing an addendum to the current agreement. Chairman Jarred Brejcha said, “Director Bruce Boone was able to re-establish conversations that had been trending unproductive. I am very pleased that she stepped in and noted, ‘hey I’m new but I think we can be talking about this and working things out,’ and the Commission and Civix were able to agree to the addendum at this juncture.” Following these efforts, Civix reviewed the addendum proposed by the Ethics Commission and agreed to extend the support contract until February 2025 at the Commission’s current contracted rate. In a communication with Director Bruce Boone, Civix stated it holds the Oklahoma Ethics Commission in high regard as a valued client and was eager to have the opportunity to continue their partnership.
While ensuring the current system is up and running through February 2025, efforts must begin now to ensure legislative funding and contracting for a future platform beyond the current election cycle. Brejcha noted “There’s still work to be done with long term funding for this service, but this ensures short term current election support which should put people at ease and allow us to make the best use of our time for system development into the future. Legislators need to know we’ve done well so far but their funding is still needed.”
– Lee Anne Bruce Boone, J.D., Executive Director
About the Oklahoma Ethics Commission
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission promulgates rules of ethical conduct for campaigns for elective state office and rules of ethical conduct for State Officers and Employees, which includes setting civil penalties for violation of these rules. The Ethics Commission also has enforcement authority over Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure for counties, certain municipalities, Independent School Districts and Technology Center Districts under 74 O.S. §4262, SB 1745 (2014). Okla. Const. art XXIX, §4(B).
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