County Commissioners should, while performing the duties of the Office as prescribed by law, give precedence to these duties over other activities. In the performance of these duties, the following standards should apply.
(A) Legislative responsibilities.
(1) County Commissioners should actively pursue policy goals they believe to be in the best interest of all residents within the parameters of orderly decision making, rules of the Board of County Commissioners and open government.
(2) County Commissioners should respect the legitimacy of the goals and interests of other County Commissioners and should respect the rights of others to pursue goals and policies different from their own.
(B) Adjudicative responsibilities.
(1) County Commissioners should be faithful to the general and local laws pertaining to the Office and strive for professional competence in them. They should not be swayed by partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism.
(2) County Commissioners should demand and contribute to the maintenance of fair, open and courteous proceedings before the Board of County Commissioners and afford full opportunity for citizens to be heard and to express their views.
(3) County Commissioners should be honest, patient, dignified and courteous to those with whom they deal in their official capacity, and should require similar conduct of their staff and others subject to their direction and control.
(4) County Commissioners should accord every person who is interested in a proceeding before the Commission full right to be heard according to law.
(5) County Commissioners should dispose of the business of the county in a deliberate manner that assures that citizens have meaningful knowledge of and input into their Commissioners' decisions.
(C) Administrative responsibilities.
(1) County Commissioners should require county employees to be aware of and carry out the state's open meetings and public records laws.
(2) County Commissioners should conserve the resources of the county in their charge. They should employ county equipment, property, funds and personnel only in legally permissible pursuits and in a manner that exemplifies excellent stewardship.
(3) County Commissioners should require county employees subject to their direction and control to observe the standards of fidelity and diligence that apply to Commissioners as well as those appropriate for employees.
(4) County Commissioners should take or initiate appropriate disciplinary measures against a county employee for improper conduct.
(5) County Commissioners should exercise the power of employment only on the basis of merit, avoid favoritism and refrain from illegal discrimination and nepotism. They should not approve compensation of employees beyond the fair value of services rendered.
(Ord. passed 12-4-2006)