Okaloosa County BOCC — January 18, 2013 — Sarasota County ethics — reading text

DIVISION 2. - STANDARDS OF CONDUCT Sec. 2-121. - Declaration of policy. Sec. 2-122. - Definitions. Sec. 2-123. - Standards of ethical conduct. Sec. 2-124. - Violations. Secs. 2-125—2-150. - Reserved. Sec. 2-121. - Declaration of policy policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Legislature that no officer or employee of Sarasota County, or any municipality, agency or district within Sarasota County, shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest. To implement such policy and to strengthen the faith and confidence of Sarasota County in their governmental units, there is herein enacted a code of ethics setting forth standards of conduct to be observed by employees of Sarasota County and any part thereof and all municipalities, agencies and districts in Sarasota County in the performance of their official duties. It is the intent of the Legislature that this code shall serve not only as a guide for official conduct of the County's municipalities', agencies' and districts' public servants but also as a basis for discipline of those who violate the provisions of this division. (Ord. No. 72-080, § 1, 10-17-1972) Sec. 2-122. - Definitions. (a) In this division, unless the context otherwise requires: Controlling Interest means ownership, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the outstanding capital stock in any corporation or a direct or indirect interest of ten percent or more in a firm, partnership, or other business entity. County means and includes all the various departments and boards under the jurisdiction of the Board of County Commissioners, and all units of County government that are not under the direct jurisdiction of the Board of County Commissioners providing the officers and employees are paid in part or in full by County funds.  County, Municipal, Agency and District Employee means an officer or employee of the County as defined above, and all municipal, agency and district employees in Sarasota County. (b) The term "he" in this division refers to both the masculine and feminine gender where applicable. (Ord. No. 72-080, § 2, 10-17-1972) Sec. 2-123. - Standards of ethical conduct. Every public official of Sarasota County, including every public official of all municipalities, agencies and districts therein, shall adhere to the following standards of ethical conduct while holding office: (1) He shall accept no gift or favor which may reasonably be construed as intended to improperly influence his official act. (2) He shall hold no other employment nor engage in any personal investment which is incompatible with the performance of his public duty. (3) He shall not use nor attempt to use the powers, privileges or influence of his office to gain personal benefits for himself or others. (4) He shall not make use of confidential information received by virtue of his official position to gain financial advantage for himself or others. (5) He shall not engage nor shall he allow his business or professional associates to engage in any dealings with Sarasota County, including every municipality, agency and district therein, which could reasonably be construed as improperly employing the influence of his official position. (6) He shall make an advance public disclosure of any personal business or professional interest which he or a member of his immediate family may have in a matter upon which he is required to take official action. This requirement quirement for disclosure shall include any interest which may be held by a trustee. If an officer or employee of the County or any municipality, agency or district therein is an officer, director, agent, or member of, or owns a Controlling Interest in, any corporation, firm, partnership, or other business entity which is subject to the regulation of or which has substantial business commitments  from the County, or any municipality, agency or district therein, he shall file a sworn statement with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Sarasota County, Florida, as to all employees except city employees. Employees of a municipality shall file such a statement with the City Clerk of the city of employment. (7) He shall not appoint or cause to be appointed to public office of Sarasota County, including its municipalities, agencies and districts, his father, mother, spouse, brother, sister, or lineal descendants of the same or any similar member of his spouse's family. (Ord. No. 72-080, § 3, 10-17-1972) Sec. 2-124. - Violations. Violation of any provisions of this division shall constitute grounds for dismissal from employment, or removal from office, or other penalty as provided by law. Complaints concerning the violation of this division by any person liable to removal from office or suspension by the Governor shall be reported to the Governor and his administrative officers in the executive department. (Ord. No. 72-080, § 4, 10-17-1972) Secs. 2-125—2-150. - Reserved.