P-0430 - Orange County Ethics and Conduct for County Public Servant Policy 12-04-2006-9c

Browse Search

• Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of disclosure of the financial and personal interests by covered persons is to assist covered persons and those persons who appoint, elect, hire, supervise, or advise them identify and avoid conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest between the covered person's private interests and the covered person's public duties. It is critical to this process that current and prospective covered persons examine, evaluate, and disclose those personal and financial interests that could be or cause a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest between the covered person's private interests and the covered person's public duties. Covered persons must take an active, thorough, and conscientious role in the disclosure and review process, including having a complete knowledge of how the covered person's public position or duties might impact the covered person's private interests. Covered persons have an affirmative duty to provide any and all information that a reasonable person would conclude is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Policy and to fully disclose any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest between the covered person's public and private interests, but the disclosure, review, and evaluation process is not intended to result in the disclosure of unnecessary or irrelevant personal information. Section 2. Statement of economic intent; filing required. (a) Every covered person subject to this Policy who is elected, appointed, or employed, including one appointed to fill a vacancy in elective office, except for public servants included under Article 1, Section 3(24)a whose annual compensation from the County is less than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000), shall file a statement of economic interest with the Clerk to the Orange Board of Commissioners prior to the covered person's initial appointment, election, or employment and no later than March 15~' of every year thereafter, except as otherwise filed under subsection (b) of this Section. The requirement for an annual filing under this subsection also shall apply to covered persons • whose terms have expired but who continue to serve until the person's replacement is appointed. Once a statement of economic interest is properly completed and filed under this Policy, the statement of economic interest does not need to be supplemented or refiled prior. to the next due date set forth in this subsection. (b) A candidate for an elective office subject to this Policy shall file the statement of economic interest at the same place and in the same manner as the written disclosures are required to be filed under Title VII, Chapter 460, 1987 Session Laws. (c) The Clerk to the Orange Board of Commissioners shall issue forms to be used for the statement of economic interest and shall revise the forms from time to time as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Policy. Section 3. Statement of economic interest as public records. The statements of economic interest filed by prospective employees of the County under this Policy are not public records until the prospective employee is appointed or employed by the County. All other statements of economic interest are public records. Section 4. Contents of statement. (a) Any statement of economic interest filed under this Policy shall be on a form prescribed by the County Board of Commissioners and sworn to by the filing person. •