Minutes 06-01-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� Board members must know how to distinguish among these roles, to determine when each role is appropriate, and to act accordingly. • Board members must be aware of their obligation to conform their behavior to standards of ethical conduct that warrant the trust of their constituents. Each official must find within his or her own conscience the touchstone by which to determine what conduct is appropriate. CODE OF ETHICS Purpose. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for the Board of County Commissioners and to provide guidance in determining what conduct is appropriate in particular cases. It should not be considered a substitute for the law or for a board member's best judgment. Section 1. (a) Board members should obey all laws that apply to their official actions as members of the board. Board members should be guided by the spirit as well as the letter of the law in whatever they do. At the same time, board members should feel free to assert policy positions and opinions without fear of reprisal from fellow board members or citizens. To assert that a board member is behaving unethically due to the fact that one has a disagreement with that board member based on a question of policy (and not on the board member's ethical behavior) is unfair, dishonest, irresponsible, and is itself unethical. (b) Board members should endeavor to keep themselves up-to-date, through the board's attorney, of the most pertinent constitutional, statutory, and other legal requirements with which they must be familiar in order to meet their legal responsibilities. A list of applicable laws and regulations accompanies this Code as Attachment "A". (c) Board members shall comply with General Statute §160A-87 in receiving two clock hours of ethics education within 12 months of each appointment or election to office. Board members may additionally receive two clock hours of ethics education annually, but failure to receive such additional ethics education shall not constitute a violation of this Code of Ethics. Section 2. Board members should act with integrity and with independence from 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 values. • Behaving consistently and with respect towards everyone with whom they interact. • 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 good as they see it, presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner. • Remaining incorruptible, self-governing, and not subject to improper influence, while at the same time being able to consider the opinions and ideas of others. • Disclosing contacts and information about issues that they receive outside of public meetings, and refraining from seeking or receiving information about quasi-judicial matters outside of the quasi-judicial proceedings themselves. • Treating other board members and the public with respect, and honoring the opinions of others even when they disagree. • Being careful not to reach conclusions on issues until all sides have been heard. • Showing 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 accordingly.