Recently Passed Guilford County Commissioner Ethics Code Highlights / Pin the Tail on the Donkey

WHEREAS, a spirit of honesty and forthrightness
is reflected in North Carolina’s State Motto,
Esse Quam Videri,“To Be Rather than to Seem”

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Elected local government officials

must be able to act in a manner that maintains their integrity and independence,

yet is responsive to the interests and needs of those they represent.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina

Elected local government officials
must be aware of their obligation to conform their behavior
to standards of ethical conduct that warrant the trust of their constituents.

Each official must find within his or her own conscience
the touchstone by which to determine what conduct is appropriate.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Board members should act with integrity and with independence

from improper influence…

Board members should use their best independent judgment

to pursue the common good as they see it, presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner.

They should be self-governing and not subject to improper influence,

while at the same time being able to consider the opinions and ideas of others.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina

Board members should avoid impropriety
in the exercise of their official duties.

Their official actions should be above reproach.

A board member is considered to be acting with impropriety
if a reasonable person who was made aware of the totality
of the circumstances surrounding the board member’s action
would conclude that it was more likely than not
that the behavior did not befit someone in the board member’s position.

…They should act as the especially responsible citizens
whom others can trust and respect.

…they should be willing to put the board’s interests ahead of their own.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Board members should be faithful in their attendance at meetings

and in their preparation for those meetings.

They should carefully analyze all credible information

that is provided to them.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina

The board should set a good example for others in the community,
keeping in mind that trust and respect must continually be earned.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Board members of local governing boards

should conduct the affairs of their boards in an open and public manner.

They should also remember that the records of their local government

belong to the public and not to them or their employees.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina

…board members should strive to be open.

They should prohibit unjustified delayin fulfilling public records requests.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Avoid deriving a direct benefit from contracts in which you are involved

in making or administering on behalf of the public agency. (G.S. 14-234((a)(1)

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina

Avoid attempting to influence others
who are involved in making or administering a contract
on behalf of the public agency, even if you aren’t involved,
if you will derive a direct benefit from the contract. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(2)

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Avoid soliciting or receiving any gift or reward

in exchange for recommending, influencing, or attempting to influence

the award of a contract by the public agency you serve. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(3)

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina

Consider the ethical and practical consequences
of deriving a direct benefit from a contract
…and weigh these considerations against the potential advantage
to the public agency and to yourself.

…Avoid participating in deliberations about or voting on a contract
in which you have a direct benefit…

Follow reporting requirements to ensure transparency. (G.S. 14-234)

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Avoid using your knowledge of contemplated action

by you or your unit,

or information known to you in your official capacity and not made public,

to acquire a financial interest in any property, transaction, or enterprise,

or to gain a financial benefit that may be affected by the information

or contemplated action.

Avoid intentionally aiding another to do any of these things. (G.S. 14-234.1)

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina

Avoid receiving any gift or favor
from a current, past, or potential contractor. (G.S. 133-32(a)

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina

Avoid voting on matters

involving your own financial interest or official conduct. (G.S. 160A-75; 153A-44.)

Disclose the existence of the direct financial interest in advance...

Avoid voting on any zoning map or text amendment

where the outcome of the vote is reasonably likely

to have a direct, substantial, and readily identifiable financial impact on you.

Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners

of Guilford County, North Carolina