Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
CODE OF ETHICS <br />Purpose. <br />The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of <br />conduct for the Board of County Commissioners and to provide guidance in determining what <br />conduct is appropriate in particular cases. It should not be considered a substitute #or the law <br />or for a board member's best judgment. <br />Section 1. <br />(a) Board members should obey all laws that apply to their official actions as members of <br />the board. Board members should be guided by the spirit as well as the letter of the law in <br />whatever they do. At the same time, board members should feel free to assert policy <br />positions and opinions without fear of reprisal from fellow board members or citizens. To <br />assert that a board member is behaving unethically due to the fact that one has a <br />disagreement with that board member based on a question of policy (and not on the board <br />member's ethical behavior) is unfair, dishonest, irresponsible, and is itself unethical. <br />(b) Board members should endeavor to keep themselves up-to-date, through the board's <br />attorney, of the most pertinent constitutional, statutory, and other legal requirements with <br />which they must be familiar in order to .meet their legal responsibilities. Alist of applicable <br />laws and regulations accompanies this Code as Attachment "A". <br />(c) Board members shall comply with General Statute §160A-87 in receiving two clock <br />hours of ethics education within 12 months of each appointment or election to office. Board <br />members may additionally receive two clock hours of ethics education annually, but failure to <br />receive such additional ethics education shall not constitute a violation of this Code of Ethics. <br />Section 2. <br />Board members should act with integrity and with independence from improper influence <br />as they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics and behaviors that are <br />consistent with this standard are: <br />• Adhering firmly to a code of sound values. <br />• Behaving consistently and with respect towards everyone with whom they interact. <br />• Exhibiting trustworthiness. <br />• Living as if they are on duty as elected officials regardless of where they are or what <br />they are doing. <br />• Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they see it, <br />