Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
<br />that the Board was looking for specificity and comprehensiveness, and he tried to provide <br />something of this nature. He said that there is no law for counties to adopt an ethics policy, but <br />it can be enforceable by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to advisory boards. <br />With respect to County employees, there may be issues associated with whether or not this <br />policy will apply to people who are already employed. The issues will have to be addressed on <br />a case-by-case basis. <br />Commissioner Nelson commended Geof Gledhill for this thorough policy and his <br />extraordinary effort and he also commended Representative Jae Hackney for his work in the <br />General Assembly on this issue. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that when he was in San Francisco, there was a story about <br />a Planning Director who had accepted a membership in a country club that was worth $100,000 <br />from a group of people that wanted to influence the planning policy. He asked if this policy <br />would cover something like that because the person was previously employed and was not a <br />new employee. Geof Gledhill said that Orange County has a personnel ordinance that creates <br />a properly right for employees. Some of the policies may have to be integrated into the <br />personnel ordinance. <br />Commissioner Jacobs suggested simplifying this policy for the boards and commissions. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the boards and commissions and asked for a <br />list of ones that are created by State statutes and ones that would come under this policy. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she would appreciate a good form for these ethics <br />compliance reports and Geof Gledhill said that he, Laura Blackmon, and the Clerk will work on <br />this. <br />Chair Carey said that this policy applies to all elected and appointed officials and he <br />asked if it includes the Sheriff and Register of Deeds. Geof Gledhill said nat unless they want to <br />be included because they are constitutional officers. Chair Carey would like to clarify this. Geof <br />Gledhill suggested having a conversation with the Sheriff and the Register of Deeds. <br />Chair Carey asked about the legislative participation and if a Board member wants to <br />abstain from a vote, he or she has to provide a written request. He would like this to be a verbal <br />abstaining rather than having it in written form. Geof Gledhill said that his purpose for a written <br />requirement is for a record of it. Chair Carey said that the minutes would be a record. <br />Commissioner Gordon questioned item `k' on page 8, where liabilities of the immediate <br />family would have to be listed. It was answered that this would not include emancipated <br />children. She asked haw often this would be updated and Geof Gledhill said that this has an <br />annual reporting requirement. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that overall this ethics policy is a good thing. <br />Chair Carey made reference to page 6 and the definition of a public servant, where it <br />refers to members of the Board of Commissioners or an elected or appointed member of the <br />County Board of Commissioners before taking office. He asked if Commissioner Nelson was <br />considered a public servant from the time he was elected on November 7t". Geof Gledhill said <br />that he would be considered a public servant when participating in official action. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested that the Board take another look at this and submit <br />comments to the Chair and/or the Manager and bring this back on a consent agenda. <br />Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Foushee agreed. <br />Chair Carey agreed and suggested making the inquiry to the Sheriff and Register of <br />Deeds. He said that he would make the inquiry. <br />Chair Carey said to direct comments to the Attorney and copy the Chair. <br />The Board agreed to defer this item. <br />1Q. Reports-NONE <br />11. Closed Session-NONE <br />