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6 <br /> ETHICS GUIDELINES FOR <br /> COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS <br /> I agree by my signature below that, if appointed, I pledge to comply with the following ethics guidelines for advisory <br /> boards and commissions as adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br /> A. Conflict of Interest <br /> 1. During advisory board meetings, a member shall immediately disclose any potential conflict of interest <br /> and request to be excused from voting when he or she has a conflict of interest. <br /> 2. During appeal proceedings, the applicant has the right to question the interest of any voting member. <br /> The advisory board chair should consult with the County Attorney or staff attorney on any potential <br /> conflict of interest in appeal matters. <br /> 3. In determining from existing facts and circumstances whether a conflict of interest exists the <br /> determining party shall consider the facts and circumstances as would an ordinary and reasonable <br /> person exercising prudence, discretion, intelligence, and due care. <br /> B. Gifts <br /> 1. An advisory board member shall not directly or indirectly ask, accept, demand, exact, solicit, seek, <br /> assign, receive, or agree to receive any gift or honorarium for the advisory board member, or for <br /> another person, in return for being influenced in the discharge of the advisory board member's <br /> official responsibilities. <br /> 2. This section shall not apply to gifts or awards authorized by Orange County Fblicies, Fbsolutions, or <br /> Ordinances. <br /> C. Code of Elhics <br /> 1. Advisory board members should act with integrity and with independence from improper influence as <br /> they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics and behaviors that are consistent with <br /> 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 interact. <br /> c. Exhibiting trustworthiness. <br /> d. Living as if they are on duty as appointed officials regardless of where they are or what they are <br /> doing. <br /> e. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they see it, presenting <br /> their opinions to all in a reasonable,forthright, consistent manner. <br /> f. Fbmaining incorruptible, self-governing, and not subject to improper influence, while at the <br /> same time being able to consider the opinions and ideas of others. <br /> g. Disclosing contacts and information about issues that they receive outside of public meetings, <br /> and refraining from seeking or receiving information about quasi-judicial matters outside of <br /> the quasi-judicial proceedings themselves. <br /> h. Treating other advisory boards and advisory board members and the public with respect, and <br /> honoring the opinions of others even when they disagree. <br /> i. Being careful not to reach conclusions on issues until all sides have been heard. <br /> j. Showing respect for their appointed office and not behaving in ways that reflect badly on the <br /> office,the advisory board, Orange County, or the Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br /> k. Fboogniang that they are part of a larger group and acting accordingly. <br />