Storms cast a deciding vote in 2004 that legalized the operation of businesses that grow plants and trees as well as do landscaping, mow and install irrigation in agricultural zones. These types of businesses had been limited to commercial areas before.

Storms’ husband owns Storms Landscaping Nursery, which performs many of the above duties, and 20 county residents felt she had misused her powers and made a decision that would benefit the family business. They filed an ethics complaint in August 2004.

The state ethics commission released a public report and a response saying it had investigated the claims and determined there was no probable cause to believe Storms would reap any “special private gain” from her vote.