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Commissioners Hovis, Shehan, & Fraley - County Attorney - To Approve Resolution Updating the Board’s Code of Ethics and Procedures, as Recommended by the Board Procedures Ad Hoc Committee
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STAFF CONTACT
Melissa Huffman - Acting County Attorney
Brian Sciba - Deputy County Manager
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
N/A
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BACKGROUND
The Board of Commissioners has adopted policies to help them support effective and ethical public administration in Gaston County. The two key local policies are:
1. The Procedures for the Gaston County Board of Commissioners (Res. 2023-089), which govern how they conduct their official duties.
2. The Code of Ethics for County Officials (Res. 1995-16), which provides a basic ethical framework for all elected and appointed officials, as well as county employees.
In 2009, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law requiring all North Carolina local governments to adopt a code of ethics to guide actions by the governing board members in the performance of their official duties. The 1995 Code of Ethics has not been updated to reflect this requirement.
POLICY IMPACT
The proposed resolution would:
1. Adopt a Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners based on the UNC School of Governments “Model Code of Ethics for North Carolina Local Elected Officials”. This code complies with the requirements of G.S. 153A-53.
2. Amend Rule 43 of the Board’s Procedures to make clear that the new Code of Ethics for the Board and the 1995 Code of Ethics for County Officials apply to the members of the Board, whichever is more stringent.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Attachment 1 (Code of Ethics)