Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFirst Draft of BOCC CODE of Ethics - 05-06-2010-7bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 6, 2010 Action Agenda Item No. ~ ' h SUBJECT: Adoption of a Code of Ethics for the County Commissioners and Consideration of Recommending the North Carolina General Assembly Amend or Repeal Portions of Session Law 1987-460 __ DEPARTMENT: County Attorney PUBLIC HEARING: (YlN) No ATTACHMENT(S): (A) Recommended Code of Ethics (B) Session Law 1987-460 (C) Ethics Requirements (D) Disclosure Form INFORMATION CONTACT: John Roberts, 245-2318 PURPOSE: To provide the Board of County Commissioners with a recommended Code of Ethics to guide the Commissioners in the performance of their duties and to consider recommending the General Assembly amend or repeal portions of Session Law 1987-460. BACKGROUND: In the 2009 Long Session of the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina General Statute §160A-86 was passed by both houses of the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Perdue. This statute requires that local governing boards adopt a code of ethics. Prior to this action by the General Assembly, the Board of County Commissioners had discussed and attempted to develop its own code of ethics. Former County Attorney Geof Gledhill spent considerable time drafting a model code but ultimately it was not adopted. Subsequent to the passage of General Statute §160A-86, the. School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill began work on a model code of ethics for the benefit of local governments across the state. The current County Attorney has made revisions to that model and presents for adoption a recommended Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics can, if the Commissioners so choose, replace. an outdated and poorly worded disclosure law, Session Law 1987-460. The disclosure law imposes up to a $1,000 fine and one year imprisonment on any commissioner who fails to disclose a business or property interest even if the lack of disclosure is unintentional. In the attorney's opinion this punishment is unduly harsh and inherently unfair. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of this. item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board review and adopt the recommended Code of Ethics and discuss whether to recommend the General Assembly amend or repeal portions of Session Law 1987-460. 3 Attachment A Cade of Ethics far the Board of Cc~un~y Cc~mmissi~ner~s of }range Cc~un, North Carolina WHEREAS, the Constitution of North Carolina, Article I, Section 35, reminds us that a "frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absoiutel'y necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty,." and WHEREAS, a spirit of honesty and forthrightness is reflected in North Carolina's State Motto, Esse Quam Videri, "Ta Be Rather than to Seem," and WHEREAS, Section 160A-86 of the North Carolina General Statutes requires local governing boards to adopt. a code of ethics, and WHEREAS, as public officials we are charged with uph©lding the trust of the citizens and residents of Grange County, and with obeying the law, anti WHEREAS, as public ofticia!'s of t7range County we believe our citizens and residents are entitled to the most open and ethics( government possible under the law. NOW THEREFQRE, in recognition of our blessings and olaligations as citizens of the State of North Carolina and as public officials representing the citizens and residents of Urange County and acting rursuant to the requirements of Section 1fi0A-$6 of the North Garollna General Statues, we the C>range Gourty Board of Commissioners, do hereby adopt the following General Principles and Code of Ethics to guide the Board of County Commissioners in its lawful decision-«~aking. The C3range County Board of Commissioners directs all advisory boards and committeFs, which currently serve, or which may in the future be created to serve, the Board of County Commissioners, to respect and abide by these same General Principles and Code of Ethics in the performance of their lawful duties insomuch as they may be applicable to the performance thereof. 4 GENERRI_ PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING THE CC~C~E t~F ETHfCS The stability and proper operation of democratic representative govemment depends upon public confidence in the integrity of the government, and upon responsible exercise of the trust conferred by the people upon their elected officials. Governmental decisions and policy must be made and imp3emented through. proper channels and processes of the governmental structure. • Board members must be able to acfi in a manner that mair~tainss their integrity and independence, yet is responsive to the infierests and reeds of #hose they represent. • Board members must aiways remain aware that at various times they play different roles: • As advocates, who strive to advance the legitimate needs of their citizens and residents, • As legislators, who balance tl~e p~,,blic interest and private rights in considering and enacting ordFnances, orders. ar~c~ rasalutions, and • As fair and impartial decision-makers, tt~her? making quasi judicial and administrative determinations. Board members. must know haw to distinc:~_rish among these roles, to determine when. each role is appropriate, and to act acccrciingly: • Boar!fi members must be aware of then obligation to conform their behavior to st~r~dar~is c:~f ethical conduct that warrant the trust of their constituents. Each official must find within iris or her own conscience the touchstone by wfiich to determine what conduct is apprapriate- 5 ~OQE QF ETHECS PuctaQSe. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to estab€ish guide€'snes far ethica€ standaeds of conduct far the ward of County Commissioners and to provide guidance in detem~ining what conduct is appropriate in particular cases. ft shau€d not be considered a substitute far the €aw or far a baard member's best judgmenf. Sect~an ''l. {aj Baard members shau€d abet' a€€ €aws that apply to their official actsans as members of the board. Baard members should be guided by t~,~ spirit as we€€ as the €etter of the €aw in whatever they do. At the same time,.. board members shoo€d feel free to assert. pa€icy positions and op'snions without fear of reprisal Pram feliov~: board members or citizens. Ta assert that a baard member is behaving unethically dtie to the fact that one has a disagreement with that board member based on a question of t~~€ieyR, (and not an the board member's ethical behaviors is unfair, dishonest, irresponsib€e, and is its:€f unethical. (a~ Baard members sFTOUfd endeavor to keep themse€ves up-to-date, through the baard°s attorney and other so~~rcr~s of the mast pertinent constitutions€, statutory, and other €ega€ requirements with w~i~ich they must be familiar in order to meet their €egal respansibiiities. A €ist of app€icab€e €aws and regulations aLcnmpanies this Cade as Attachment trA't (c} Baard members shall car~~ply v~,th General Statute '160A-87 in receiving two c€'ock hours of ethics education within 12 r-r-~o,~ths of each appointment or e€ection to office. Baard members may additiana€€y receive tvra clack hours of ethics education annua€€y, but fai€ure to race€ve such additana€ ethics education sha€€ nat. constitute a vo€ation of this Cade of Ethics. Section 3(c) app€ies on€y to the Board of County Comm"rssianers of C7range County. Section 2. Board members shau4d act with integrity and with independence fram improper influence as they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics and behaviors that are consistent with this standard are: • Adhering firmly to a code of sound va€ues. • Behaving consistent€y and with respect towards everyone with whom they interact. 6 Exhibiting trustworthiness. Living as if they are on duty as elected officials regardless of where they are or what they are doing. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common goad as they see it, presenting their opinions to al! in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner. • Remaining incorruptible, self-governing, and'. not subject to improper influence, while at the same time being able to eons"rder the opinions and ideas of others. • Discls~sng contacts artd infoi-matiori about issues that they eeceive outside of public meetings, and refraining from seeking or receiving information about. quasi-judicial matters outside of the quasi-judicial proceedings herx~selves. Treating other board members and the ~ubiic with respect, and honoring the opinions of others even when they disagree. Being careful not to mach conclusions on i:~su~:s until all sides have been heard. • Bhowing respect for their office and not behaving in ways that reflect. badly on it. • Recognizing that they are part of a larger group and acting ~ccc~rdingly. • Recognizing that %nd~~idual board members are not generajly allowed to act: on behalf of the board, but may o~~rly do so if the board specifically so authorizes, and that the beard must fatCe`official action as a body. Sectiic~n 3. {a} Board members sho~.~ld avoid impropriety in the exercise of their officio! duties. Their official actions should be ai~ove rL~urc~~~h. Although opinions may vary about what behavior is inappropriate, this board wi[! consider +rnpropriety in terms of whether a reasonable person who is aware of all of the relevant facts and circumstances surrounding the board member's action would conclude that the action was inappropriate. (b} Board members shall, at the annual organizational meeting of the Board immediately after assuming office, file with the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners a written statement describing any interest he or she or his or her spouse has in real property situated in whole or in part in Qrartge Gounty artd the general location of that property. {c} Board members shall, at the annual organizational meeting of the Board immediately after assuming of€ice, file with the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners a written statement describing any legal, equitable, beneficial or contractual interest he or she or his. or 7 her spouse has in any business; firm or corporation, of whatever nature. (d) if a board member believes that his or her actions, while legal and ethical, may be misunderstood, he or she should seek the advice of the board's attorney and should consider publicly disclosing the facts of the situation and the steps taken to resolve it, such as consulting with the attorney. (e} Sections 3(b} and 3(c} shall spec~cally apply to the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, Board of Adjustment of Grange Countyt Planning Board of Orange County and Board of Equalization and Review of Orange County and any other advisory boards or committees specifically designated by the Board of County Commissioners except that members of boards other than the Board. of County Comn~i:~sio;~ers shall file the required disclosure within 30 days of their initial and subsequent appointments to sajd boards.. ~ectic~n 4. Board members should be faithful in the performance of the duties of their offices. They should act as especially responsible citi~ ergs wham ethers can trust and respect. They should set a good example for others in the eotnmunity kee~inq in mind that trust and respect must continually be earned. Board members should faithfully attend and prepare fc~r meetings. They should carefully analyze all credible information that is properly suk~mitted to them, mindful. of the need not to engage in communications outside the meeting in quasi judicial matters. They should demand full accountability from those over whom the board has authority. Boatel ~ ~ embers ho~,lri be willing to bear their fair share of the board's workload. To the extent aj~propriatet they ,hou;c~ be willing to put the board's interests ahead of their own.. Section ~~ Elected members of local governing boards should conduct the aff=airs of their boards in an open and public manner. They should comply with all applicable laws. governing open meetings and public records, recognizing that doing so is an important way to be worthy of the public's truest. They should remember when they meet that they are cond'ucfiing the public's business. They should also remember that the records of their local government belong to the public and not to them or their employees. They should make clear that a climate of openness is to be maintained at all times in their governmental units. 8 !n order to ensure strict compliance with the laws governing openness, governing board members should strive to be open. They should prohibit unjustified delay in fulfilling public records requests.. They should take deliberate steps to ensure that any closed sessions held by the board are lawfully conductedy and that such sessions do not stray from the purposes for which they are called. Section 6. if a majority of the board has reason to believe that one or more of its members has violated a provision of this Code of Ethics, it may open an investigation. into the matter All information compiled, including the grounds for the finding of probable cause, sha!! be shared with the member uvhen it is received. Al! information pertaining to the case shall be open to public inspection and copying pursuant. to the'(vorth Carolina. public record's statutes. if upon investigation the board concludes that a violation of ~~ criminal law may have occurred, it shall refer the matter to the local district attorney. Should i.e board determine that it wishes to proceed further with censure proceedings, it shall call for a ~earingt to be held at a regular meeting or at a special meeting convened for that purpose:. and shall adhere to the procedures set out in Attachment "~,,. This section shall apply only to the Board of County. Commissioners of Orange Cour~ty- Adapted this the 'day ~~~f __ , 20117. Valerie Foushee, Chair Alice M. Gordon Barry Jacobs Bernadette Pelissier, Vice Chair Pam Nemminger Mike Nelson. Steve Yuhasz i-t [ E ~ti..R[ltily f~E [ uki3a 1. Avail deriving a direct benefit from contracts in which you are involved in making ar administering on behalf of the public agency. (G.S. 14-234{(a}(1}; criminal penalty; Hate defined terms in the statute: direct benefit, involved in making ar administering a contract.} 2. Avail attempting to influence others vvha are involved in making ar administering a contract on behalf of the public agency, even if you aren't involved, if you will derive a direct benefif from the contract. (G.S. 14-234 {a)(2~; criminal penalty: Hate defined terms in the statute: direct benefit, involved in making or administering a contract.} 3. Avoid soliciting ar receiving any gift ar reward in exchange far recommending, influencing. or attempting to influence the award of a contract h, the public agency you serve. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(3}; criminaE penalty.) 4. Consider the ethical and practical conseq~_~r~ces or" deriving a direct benefit from a contract. that is authorized under any exception to the statute. and v:=i~l~ these considerations against. the potential advantage to the public agency and toy ~arsel? Follow reporting requirements to ensure. transparency. (G.S. 14-234 (b~; (d1}.} 5. Avoid participating in deliberations about ar voting an a contract ire which you. have a direct benefit, when the contract is undertaken as allowed under any exception to the statute. (G,S. 14-234 (b1.}~ criminal penalty. ~. Avoid using your- i~~ ~~~~.v'd ~:e of contemplated action by you or your unit, ar information known to you in your offcia~ capacity and Hat made public, to acquire a financial interest in any property.: transaction. or enterprise, nr to gain, a financial benefit that may be affected by the information t~r• cont~.mplat~d act~~on Avoid mfentionally aiding another to do any of these thi~n~a. (G.S. 'l~~ ?~4. i~~, . gal`penalty-~ ~ Avoid receiving any gift er fave:r from'a current, past, or potential contractor. (G.S. 133-32(a}; cri,-~~inai penalty.} e 8. Consider the ethical and practical consequences of accepting a gift or favor under any exception to the ~tati~tory prohibition, and follow reporting requirements to ensure transparency. {G; S '133-32{d~.~ 9. Avoid voting on rr~atters involving: your awn financial interest. or official conduct. (G.S. 16JA-75; 153A-44.) Identify and disclose these matters in advance so that your board can determine whether or not you have a conflict that allows you to be excused by the board from voting. When in doubt, obtain an opinion from your 6acal attorney about whether you must vote or may 9 be excused.. 10. Avoid voting on any zoning map or text amendment where the outcome of the vote is reasonably likely to have a direct, substantial. and readily identifiable financial impact on you. {G.S. 153A-340{g}; 160P,-381{d).} 11. do not participate in or vote on any quasi judicial matter, includ'€ng matters that come before the board when acting in a quasi judicial capacity under G.S. 153A-315 or 16C1A-388, iF participation would violate affected persons` constitutional right to an impartial decis-ion-maker.. impermissible conflicts- under this statutory standard include "having a fixed opinion prior to hearing the matter that is not susceptible to change°; "undiscl~~~=d ~x parte communications [communications between a board member and son-eo~~ ese wl,~a is involved in the rrtatter that occur outside the official quasi judicial. proceeding]"; ~a close fan;ilial, business, or other associational relationship with an affected person°. or "a financial inter est in the outcome of the matter." (153A-315{e1}; 150A-388{e1}; violation of the constitutional standard by one member invalidates the entire vote.} 12. Fulfill your statutory obligation to vote on all matters that come before you even when there are appearances of conflict, and only refrain from voting when there is a legal basis for or requirement to be excused from voting. {G. S, 153A-14; 160A-75.} 10 11 ATTACHMC=NT "B'° hlatice of the required public hearing stating its time, place, and purpose shall be given ante a week for two successive calendar weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the jurisdiction- The notice shall be published the first time not less than 1 t~ days nor more than 25 days before the date fried far the hearing. In computing such period, the day o€ publication is not to be included. but the day of the hearing shall be included.. A€ternatively, the hearing shat( be advertised on the jurisdiction`s website far the same period of time, up to and including the date of the hearing. The notice shall state that a detailed list of the allegations against the member is available far public inspection and copying in the office of the clerk or secretary to the board. The hearing shall be convened at the time and place pacified. The hearing and any deliberations shall be conducted in open session in accordance ~~,tt~ t~~~= ~ equirements of the E~lorth Carolina open meetings statutes. The accused board member shall have the right to i~~~ve ,cauns?I ;?resent, fa present and crass- examine expert and other witnesses, and to offer evidence, ir~ciudin evidence of the bias of any other board member ar the presiding officer. An audio or video and audio tame of the proceedings shall be prepared. Any and all votes during the hearing shat! be taken by the ayes :~~d noes and recorded in the board's minutes. Once the hearing is concluded.; it shall be closed by vats of the board. The presiding officer shall next entertain a matio~n to a~:Jopt a resolution censuring the rnerxiber based on specified violations of the Cade o~f Ethics. Ar~y mo±ior~ made must be an affirmative one in favor of adapting a non-binding resolution of censure. if the riot ~,~-~ Qr i`esalutinn does not state particular grounds for censure under the Dade of Ethics, the presid~~i:~ of#icer shall rule it gut of order. if a motion to adapt a resolutra~ ~ rjf c~r~su;-e staling particular grounds under the Cade of Ethics has been made, the board shall debate the motion. The accused member shall be allowed to partictpate in the debate, but shall not vote an the motion to adapt the resalutian of censure. Af the conclusion of the debate, the board' shall vote an the resolution. if the motion to adapt the resolution of censure is approved by atwo-thirds vote of those present and vofing, a quorum being present, the motion passes and the non-binding resolution of censure is adopted. The text of the resolution of censure shall be made a part of the minutes of the board. Any recording of the board's praceed'mgs shall be approved by the board as a permanent part of the board's minutes. The praceedirigs sha[I then. be considered concluded, the board having done all that it IegaNy can with respect to the matter in q,uestion- 12 ,~ttachlnent ~3 GE'.ti~;fL~L ~SSE"43BL1' OF \t7RTF~ (;.hFtQLI'>~" 5ESSI(7"~ 2010 Ht3tJSl~ISE~~l7"E I31 t.E. :~'~ _~C'f TC3 :'~?~41r~tii:t `I"I'1"LE 1~'l C)I' SF..SIt~I4 I.A'4~' 1937-~6Q Ri;{U'a}t:I7I:tiG 7"HE 13TSCI„USt:°R:E C3E3I,1~~TIC~'tiS t~F "I'}I~ CC~I~~*«1:IS~(()?ER5 C}}~ THE (~R.~?~QL COL?~Tl' BQ:1RL7 ~}F' £'tJRlivfISSI©'tERS. "Ilae General ,~sse£nbl}- c~f'~orth Carolina enacts: TITi<~ ~'II. (}R~tiCrE C"C)~~T~` DISCLC'-~l 1t E.. Sectirran l~. Reads as rewritten: Fiery enrtaer ~#"the Board ofC;caunt,~ Cc~mr~~issic,n~rs'at~{)stage C'our£t}< staalI disclose an}~ legal, equitable, bc:neficia.l or ctantraetual interest he~shc orhis:la~r spouse n~a}= ha~~~e in any real preapert}~ s>iuate~d in C:.}rangt; Count}~. 'llae neat prcYperr} «~I;ic~ :!~::,~ ~+e disclosed. includes ail real property ti~hicl£ any E3oard rttembe.r or laisr`her spouse holds titlE :. i , ?ividuall~ car jointly, any real prralaerty helii in trust as ~~~ell as any pecuniar} ant~rt~st t£e;=5he t.~, ~ in an} tausiness, frm, ar crarpcaratican o~ c~>hatever rtataxre, which taoids tine to or has ara} l•,~~ncrsh.ip iryterest in ara}° real prc~pcrt}~ ~+~itlai£i ()£<ua~,3e C'~£unt:}=. Such discl~asure s}£aii cczntain the ~e£aeral location of the real. property,. but tweed not include its ~•alue. Section Zq. Re.,ds ~:. r: ti~rritten: ~~ c,n : ~ ,.r,~r ,,;"tF.; board of t",c~trr~I:v._Cona£nssion~rs of C.}ran~z~ C"ount}~ shall d.isctvse aril legal, e::l rt,'bie. '~er3e fic;:i; -r rontractua.l iratcrest lae;'shc ni h..s{nor ~p~u~ may have in or with any __ ~.. Iaft5ln<:Sr. t:~'! ' CO1'pU";:ii,"a, Cli'Lk'}lateverTlal[tr±',', r rDeieted ,uhr.hisdUnglausin~s ~ t)tttn~;c C <rtuth pu,sw'~rsi tc c,m..a.r~ a~.hch faxae been ax'a.~ed t>t' orange S£CtiUn ~~.. RC<tJ :i'i rCL~"rittEla; (:,r~uas' ~ E•,::r} ; ,: ~3 i ;~r c±f tE£~ 13c,:::,i of Count}~ Conarraissiorxers of"QrZnge C'ourat}° shall diselcase any legal., etlurtat~'~, k , c~cial ~,r c~nfr £ctuat £nterest hclshe r~r 9~ ~`,cr r~u~.may hati°~ ira any lausines , ..___ ._._.~_ +eteted ~rY3a~ or zrQi"~at~rati ri, `1 s~ 1., .a Cr n3f qrt.'~ = D :. ~~~~t3 !z ~c aricrsim xn~ica ~rsure _~ _ _ _.._ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ _~ t£rc unSrd sf n h~~t ~ ant Ch~n~e County . _ ...,. „ _ .. _ ~ .. ~ .._ _ car r',~xp zp}r.rti a£ cif xm° £a~urd as ,Age:rFey ~eCtICDT! ~~. AafCtranre (c»uaty __.__... Tlae disclosures required in. Scctio£as l~, ?0 and 31 shall be in writir£g and filed with the. C;lerl~ of Superior Caurt of (7range Cnunty and 4~~ith the Clerk tQ t;he Beard of Comrr£issioners of t)range ("taunt}~. Seetiesn 23, `l~-re «=rtten disclosures required in Sections 9; ?0 and 2I shall be made i~~itlain tiac follo~~~in time erfods vahach are 3 ticable ~ P PP _ ___ ~ _. i (~' ~~2 tlae ~3FSt C~e~a,3frataonal ~4~es.~£ta~ of the ~oa~ o}~ ~~<~U££f~' F`~-,T. r~~~S7T`C"~ 3 C?r t ~ t DE(etett:'1'fre£aur n€ ~"idsvsnftcrthe, _ .. _. -..... _. _ ._ _. ... ~-c.... ....... - f , 13Caard member laws aSSU£t'kCd o~tCe; ~ .~tecm'c,A.aresa;th3c h~Sc 2sr 7 i da}~s. _~ 13 ~~} y~Et t}b t,i~~ (}r~~ 1 ~.(C'fSA} ~~~tlil~ f3~t}3 }~C?&r~ c?{ t_C)ur1t4 {~.~"~9""tnti~42C)a1tS;; a~'tef t}TC _ -'j Detet+ett T'heeaE~3irsczf ~F~dei r __ ~ _ ~ ~.__. acquisition of an}° lei=al, equitable. beneficial or contractual interest. in the ~raperty or business, firm. or cvrparation required to be disc}used in. Sections } 9, 20 and 2l ar prior to the au=ard b}~ ~ran~e Count;- of a. contract ~k~ith or a permit ar other appro~~a} to a business, firm, or ccrrporatian required to be disc}used in Sectians'0 anal. ?} . Sectic-n 2~. Keads as re~~~ritten: '_+ub}eti~t w the !.imitations contained in this section, ert~ery Sward memJr~r a=ho has an interest required to be disclosc;d b}° this title sha11 disqualify hirnelf^'herse}f arrd shall r~ouest to l>e e~eused from vtrtin~ on any matter invot~r~ing any such interest w=hich ccr,c for off'seial action. before the Board of t"aunty Commissioners of Clran~e County. The ",ll~~,~i:~~. interesiwc do not require disqua}if cation: (I} Interest. in rea} property u-hich must be diccit<<.:1 +.n `:°`+ian J9 prop=idec9 the issue before the I3aard of Con~rmissioners is one of gc>Ji~; thy`. ai~`ee-ts the real property disc}osed no differently Than all other property sitntar}; ~iuf.:t:>d, {') ~n interest in a business, fxtzn, or corporation ttahich is n ~li~~ibte frnm the. paint. af' ~Fieu~ of the. operation of the krusincss, firm,. or• corporation. Section 25. Kead.s as rex~ritten: Any ntcmber ~~ho ~~ii}!'ci.tly~~~ic~tates an}~ provision of this title sha}t be guilty of a ntisdzmeanar and may be fined; not rn~,re than one thousand dollars (~t,400} or imprisoned not mare than erne year,. ar bath, acrd shall. fvrf~~it I>>,.1~er elected ar ap~air7ted office, and such affrce shat} be considered vacant a afth.e date of the tonal jud~fnent of conviction. Section ZB. This 't'itle shalt srpply not}~ to ~~rarr~e.C'o~,nr• --~---- 4ereted: Any snernber vt~ }s ;:anvartrd a€a n-titfui s.carzd x~,~taee 3n of $£i} iTE.}~l~lt'tEl of T}7E6 di.. ~ __._w... ___.__~ Atta~hm~~t C' ItiTHIC'S I~E.C,~IIREI~~ENTS F(JR L{~C:~T. C3i)~%ER'~ING IiC~ARUS In ?t}U4 the General .~ssebl}° passed and Gc?~`er~~or F~erdue signed into la~~= le~slatio~7 requri.n~ ethics education for Ic~cal ~o~=ernin~ boards. The County Con~rxtissioners must, «~thin 1.2 months after their election or appointment and main ~e~7th.n 1? months of each subsequent election. or appointment to office, recei~~e tti~~o hours of ethics training. Such trainin ;may be fratn any- qualified source. 'North Carolina. General Statute ~ 160-~7 Reads: (a) X11 n~en~bers of ~o~=emin~ hoards of cities. counties, local l:roarcis of education, uzii.fied ~,o~•ern.mnts, santar~° districts, and consolidated city=-ct~untes shall receii~e a ~niniinum of tw=o clock hours of ethit:s educatio~~ ~~-itl~in l2 n~onth_s~ after initial election or appointment t:o the office and main ~~~ithin l'? rn.onths afier each. subsequent election ter appointment to the office. {h~ ~I"hc ethics education shall coy=er la1~rs and principles that ~a~°en~ conflicts of` interest and c;thical standards of conduct at the local ~o~~emment Ie~=el. y ("c) The ethics education rr~ay be pro~~ided by the North Carolina l.~ea~ue of I~~iunicipalities, '~lorth Carolina I~ssocation of County Commissioners, l~t~rth Carolina. School Boards ~.ssociati~n, the School of Cta~-ernment at tl~e Utiiversit~° of I`vorth C<~rolina at Chapel 1-iill, or other qualified sources at dze choice: of the ~o~°ez~xin~ board.. ~d) The clerk to the governing bc7ard shall maintain a record i=erify~ing receipt of the ethics education by each member of the governing, board,. (`?tJfI9-~(I ~. s. I,) 14 1 f~°t....l~i~~'H~~E'~dT l~ fiC~~Ri} C1F' Ct~I.~T'1' C0~1?1~1ISS1C3''0'~RS t1R.~1'~~GE C~C)C3~~3 tiC}RTI~ C~R.€)LI~~ QRAN~E GQUNTY ~QMMISSIUNERS DESCL~SURE STATEMENT The minimal requirements far completion of this farm are that it be completed at ar during the annual Qrganizational Meeting of the County Commissioners after the election.. or appointment and all subsequent elections or appointments to the office of County Gomrnissioner of each commissioner. However, it is recommended that commissioners eornplete this form annually during each C~rganizationai Meeting. Please answer ail questions and where your answer is Wane or not applicable so state. ANSWERS SHOULD BE PRINTED C7R TIPPED, and additional sheets may be used if mare space is needed. For clarification of any question, please refer to the County Attorney. Upon completion this Disclosure Statement shall be fried with the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. Nate: The failure to file this Disclosure Statement is a violation of the Cade of Ethics and may subject you to censure or other penalties.. ~l . 2 NAME iJF QFFICIAL {LAST} (FIRST} {IN1TlAL} TITLE HOME ADDRESS (STREET} {CITI'(fOWN} (ZlP CODE} It11AILING ADDRESS {If different from home address} 3. I was elected on C was appointed an 4. List the following: NAME OF SPOUSE 5. List the address or legal description of any real estate; including your principal residence, in which you or your spouse, have a financial interest. NATURE OF INTEREST ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION 6. Lsfi the name and address of any Lousiness, profit or non-profit, in which you or your spouse held a position as a director, officer, partner, trustee, or a management position. t11;4l~AF t"~F FAMILY MEMBER. NAME AND ADDRESS OF BUSINESS, POSITION 16 7. List the name and address of any lousiness, profit or non-profit, in which ye~u or your spouse holds a 10% or greater ownership interest, or a ~S,Qt}0 or greater ownership or investment interest. NAME C?F FAMILY MEMBER NAME AND ADDRESS CF BUSINESS SIGNATURE Grange County Commissioner :fittest: [SE~~L J C,'lerk tca tl~e Fic~ard _~._.__..___.~___ Date __