Sunday, 02 November 2008 23:54

Conflict Of Interest Code

slide1.pngThe Ione City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday for its regular meeting and will hold a public hearing for its new, state-required conflict of interest law. Those affected by the new law would be “elected officials, members of boards and commissions appointed by the city council, consultants and city employees holding designated position.” The law will cover 17 different jobs areas on the city payroll, all who would be “subject to reporting requirements under the conflict of interest code, and shall disclose financial interests.” Those designation positions would include the city manager, attorney, clerk, treasurer, police chief, fire chief, accounting technician, building inspector, public works project manager, fire captain, assistant fire chief, police sergeant, chief wastewater operator, street and park maintenance supervisor, engineer, planner and finance director. The conflict of interest code is required to be adopted by the Political Reform Act, which requires the code for all public agencies. Attachments to the code described consultant contract requirements, in which the consultant would have to file a statement of economic interest if the city manager finds that a consultant will make a number of government decisions to “approve a rate, rule or regulations; or Adopt or enforce a law.” It also covers permits, licenses, applications, contracts, plans, designs, reports, policies, standards and guidelines, or in doing a job for the city that falls in the areas of designated positions that require disclosure. All city officials and designated employees are required to do full disclosure, reporting “all business entities and non-profit organizations in which they have an investment or in which they are a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or hold any position of management.” They must also report all interests in real property; and all sources of income, including gifts, loans and travel payments.” Three designated positions had special disclosure requirements listed, for fire captain, street and park maintenance supervisor and accounting technician. Story by Jim Reece.