Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
52 <br /> 5. Appointed members shall not delegate their vote to another member. <br /> 6. The Chair of the advisory board may participate and vote on all issues. <br /> 7. Voting by proxy is not authorized and shall not be allowed. <br /> 8. Members may not abstain from voting but where a member has a conflict of <br /> interest the member may be excused by majority vote of the advisory board. <br /> 9. Members of advisory boards must be physically present to vote. <br /> 10. Individuals appointed as ex officio members of the advisory board are not <br /> authorized to vote on any issue before the advisory board. <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 /> 2. 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 /> 3. 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 /> Page 11 of 14 <br />