Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
002 <br /> SECTION IX. ETHICS <br /> A. Conflict of Interest <br /> 1. During advisory board meetings, a member shall immediately disclose any potential <br /> conflict of interest and request to be excused from voting when he or she has a <br /> conflict of interest. <br /> 1. During appeal proceedings, the applicant has the right to question the interest of <br /> any voting member. The advisory board chair should consult with the County <br /> Attorney or staff attorney on any potential conflict of interest in appeal matters. <br /> 2. In determining from existing facts and circumstances whether a conflict of interest <br /> exists the determining party shall consider the facts and circumstances as would an <br /> ordinary and reasonable person exercising prudence, discretion, intelligence, and <br /> due care. <br /> B. Gifts <br /> 1. An advisory board member shall not directly or indirectly ask, accept, demand, <br /> exact, solicit, seek, assign, receive, or agree to receive any gift or honorarium for the <br /> advisory board member, or for another person, in return for being influenced in the <br /> discharge of the advisory board member's official responsibilities. <br /> 2. This section shall not apply to gifts or awards authorized by Orange County Policies, <br /> Resolutions, or Ordinances. <br /> C. Code of Ethics <br /> 1. Advisory board members should act with integrity and with independence from <br /> improper influence as they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics <br /> and behaviors that are consistent with this standard are: <br /> a. Adhering firmly to a code of sound values. <br /> b. Behaving consistently and with respect towards everyone with whom they <br /> interact. <br /> c. Exhibiting trustworthiness. <br /> d. Living as if they are on duty as appointed officials regardless of where they <br /> are or what they are doing. <br /> e. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they <br /> see it, presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent <br /> manner. <br /> f. Remaining incorruptible, self-governing, and not subject to improper <br /> influence, while at the same time being able to consider the opinions and <br /> ideas of others. <br /> g. Disclosing contacts and information about issues that they receive outside <br /> of public meetings, and refraining from seeking or receiving information <br /> about quasi-judicial matters outside of the quasi-judicial proceedings <br /> themselves. <br /> h. Treating other advisory boards and advisory board members and the public <br /> with respect, and honoring the opinions of others even when they disagree. <br /> i. Being careful not to reach conclusions on issues until all sides have been <br /> heard. <br /> j. Showing respect for their appointed office and not behaving in ways that <br /> reflect badly on the office, the advisory board, Orange County, or the <br />