Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
14 <br /> ETHICS GUIDELINES FOR <br /> COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS <br /> I agree by my signature below that, if appointed, I pledge to complywith 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 <br /> interest 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 <br /> member. The advisory board chair should consult with the County Attorney or staff attorney <br /> on any potential 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 <br /> reasonable 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, <br /> seek, assign, receive, or agree to receive any gift or honorarium for the advisory board <br /> member, or for another person, in return for being influenced in the discharge of the <br /> 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 improper <br /> influence as they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics and behaviors that <br /> 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 interact. <br /> c. Exhibiting trustworthiness. <br /> d. Living as if they are on duty as appointed officials regardless of where they are or what <br /> they are doing. <br /> e. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they see it, <br /> presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner. <br /> f. Remaining incorruptible, self-governing, and not subject to improper influence, while at <br /> the 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 <br /> meetings, and refraining from seeking or receiving information about quasi-judicial <br /> matters outside of the quasi-judicial proceedings themselves. <br /> h. Treating other advisory boards and advisory board members and the public with <br /> 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 heard. <br /> j. Showing respect for their appointed office and not behaving in ways that reflect badly on <br /> the office, the advisory board, Orange County, or the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners. <br />