New County Executive Ed FitzGerald began his first day on the job in a newly remodeled office on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building.

The former comissioners offices are being renovated to fit the new government's needs.

FitzGerald's first official action was to send all county employees information about new standards of ethics and personnel policies.

Voters created the new government form as a backlash to corruption and cronyism. The new system replaces a 200-year-old government lead by a trio of commissioners.

"Integrity and professionalism in our work is an urgent priority for me and should be a key priority for all of us in Cuyahoga County government. We should not delay in establishing a higher standard of conduct in the performance of our duties," FitzGerald said, in a prepared statement.

The policy requires all employees to report wrongdoing or unethical conduct, whether by fellow employees or outsiders.

FitzGerald said he would also establish a code of conduct for doing business with the county.

Monday afternoon, the new County Council holds its first meeting.

The body was sworn in and passed some resolutions to keep county government running through March while the new system takes shape.

They also voted for president and vice president, selecting C. Ellen Connally for president and District 11 Councilwoman as vice president.

The selection comes after controversy over a Dec. 3 private meeting of six Democratic members to discuss leadership choices. That meeting was held despite  a pledge to decide the matter in public.

WKYC-TV