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39 <br /> APPROVED BY BOCC ON 4/21/2015 <br /> Legal and Ethical Considerations <br /> All communications disseminated by Orange County Government will be tested against the <br /> highest ethical and legal standards, to ensure that the County faithfully serves the public in a <br /> manner consistent with its mission statement, to the best of its ability. <br /> • North Carolina Open Meeting/Public Records Laws - The State's open meeting and <br /> public records laws are critical to operating a fair and open government. The spirit with <br /> which public officials work to comply with the law is as important as the law itself. <br /> Recognizing that the public's business should be done in the open and honoring <br /> requests for help serves the people in a transparent manner. <br /> • Accessibility– Orange County will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the <br /> information concerning policies and programs is available to all despite the many <br /> barriers that could hinder effective communication. These barriers could include, but are <br /> not necessarily limited to, access to media/technology, language, and physical <br /> disabilities. <br /> • Informing Versus Persuading – The BOCC and all County departments strive <br /> proactively to provide all residents with complete and unbiased information on issues <br /> that may be, or are currently being, considered by the BOCC. This is especially <br /> important on matters that are coming to the Commissioners before the full Board has <br /> deliberated, voted, and established an official position. In instances where it may be <br /> appropriate for the BOCC to adopt a voice of persuasion (e.g. encouraging voters to <br /> vote on a bond referendum), County communication will be carefully crafted to <br /> recognize and explain the distinction between information intended to educate and <br /> information intended to influence. The County Departments serve as responsible <br /> advocates for the Board's policy decisions by providing clear, concise, and accurate <br /> information to all. The County will provide the data and reasoning behind the policy <br /> decisions so that residents can understand how these decisions were made. <br /> • Collective Versus Individual Commissioner Communications — The Chair of the Board <br /> acts as the spokesperson for the Board. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair or <br /> Chair's designee acts as spokesperson. In the interests of clarity and transparency, <br /> individual County Commissioners will take care to dispel any reasonable confusion <br /> about whether they are communicating on behalf of the Board as a whole or whether <br /> - 10- <br />