(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ELECTED OFFICIAL. A County Commissioner or County Council member.
RELATIVE.
(a) Any of the following:
1. Spouse;
2. Parent or stepparent;
3. A child or stepchild;
4. Brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister;
5. A niece or nephew;
6. An aunt or uncle; or
7. A daughter-in-law or son-in-law.
(b) An adopted child of an individual is treated as a natural child of the individual. The terms BROTHER and SISTER shall include a brother or sister by half blood (a common parent).
(B) Application to certain contracts. The county may enter into a contract or renew a contract for the procurement of goods and services or a contract for public works with an individual who is a relative of an elected official or a business entity that is wholly or partially owned by a relative of an elected official only if disclosure requirements under this section are satisfied. Contracts in existence at the time the term of office of the elected official begins are not affected until those contracts are renewed.
(C) Disclosure of contracts with relatives.
(1) Commencing on July 1, 2012 and continuing thereafter, all elected officials of the county shall file a full disclosure of any pending contract between the county government and any relative of the elected official, or any business entity in which the elected official’s relative holds an ownership interest, by using the disclosure form attached to the ordinance codified herein as Exhibit A.
(2) The disclosure statement must be in writing, describe the contract or purchase to be made by the county, describe the relationship that the elected official has to the individual or business entity that contracts or purchases, and be affirmed under penalty of perjury.
(3) The disclosure statement must be submitted to this Board and be accepted by the Board in a public meeting prior to final action on the contract or purchase.
(4) The disclosure statement must be filed not later than 15 days after final action on the contract or purchase with the State Board of Accounts and the Clerk of the County Circuit Court.
(D) Actions By Board of Commissioners or appropriate agency. This Board or an appropriate agency of the county designated by this Board shall make a certified statement that the contract amount or purchase price was the lowest amount or price bid or offered, or make a certified statement of the reasons why the vendor or contractor was selected.
(E) Certification by elected officers of the county. Each elected officer of the county shall annually certify in writing, in the form attached to the ordinance codified herein, and subject to the penalties for perjury, that the officer has not violated the requirements of I.C. 36-1-21 as adopted by this section. An elected officer shall submit the certification to this Board of County Commissioners not later than December 31 of each year.
(Ord. 24-2012, passed 6-7-2012)