The Democrats on the council say no, while the Republicans say yes, which is just the kind of partisan bickering acting Mayor Alan Dayton contends will quash the best chance to implement policy reforms in the wake of a year full of scandals in county government.

"If we can't have bipartisan approval on these issues of reform - and that means at least one Democrat on board - it tells me we aren't doing this right," Dayton said of the list of possible policy reforms council Chairman Steve Harmsen proposed Tuesday.

Dayton, a Republican named to fill the post while embattled Mayor Nancy Workman fights charges of misusing public funds, said his limited time in office would guarantee the council "a lame-duck mayor who has no stake in the outcome."

But Democrats see a conspiracy in the timing of the ethics discussion.

"I'm skeptical that the only reason you are coming up with this list now is because the Republicans have been scared into taking action," said Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch. "Tell me, when did you come up with this list and was a single Democrat involved?"

Harmsen and fellow Republican Councilman Russell SkouÂsen introduced the list of 10 possible ethical reforms and proposed the council make room on its agenda to discuss what - if any - policy changes should be made.

"I'm not advocating a position," Harmsen said. "I'm advocating a discussion."

The list included proposed rules that would:

* Force public officials to disclose outside business interests.

* Toughen requirements for open meetings.

* Establish policies for county employees participating in political campaigns.

* Require lobbyists to disclose their clients.

* Prohibit county leaders from using county cars or collecting car allowances.

* Implement a nepotism policy.

* Call for an ethics commissioner.

Hatch noted that the two Republicans had shown the list to Dayton, who made changes to it, before it was brought before the council.

An earlier version of Harm-sen's memo listed rules for temporary employees and a ban preventing county contractors from making campaign contributions to county candidates.

Harmsen said Dayton asked for the changes because he knew "some issues would be dead on arrival."

In the meantime, Jenny Wilson, a Democrat who is challenging Harmsen in the fall election, held a news conference to say the process already has dragged on too long.

"I'm concerned that all we are hearing is more talk," she said. "I would have expected a final report and a timeline for implementing some of these reforms. These scandals began erupting months ago."