(A) All elected and appointed board members, commission members and office holders of the governmental unit of the county (hereinafter referred to as “officials of the county government”) are expected to comply with state and federal election laws and the restrictions upon political activities applicable to the county employees contained within the County Policy and Procedure Manual in the same manner as all county employees. There shall thus be no distinction between officials of the county government and county employees with respect to compliance with state and federal election laws and with respect to restrictions upon political activities as contained within the County Policy and Procedure Manual. Officials of the county government are further expected to cooperate with federal, state and county representatives with respect to election law compliance and the proper administration of the County Policy and Procedure Manual. Applicable state law shall determine whether an individual is an official of the county government.
(B) Any complaints or reports of election law or political activity violations by an official of the county government shall be immediately reported the Human Resources Department for investigation and follow-up. The county considers any allegation of an election law or political activity violation to be a serious matter, and all officials of the county government are expected to treat them seriously as well.
(C) The county recognizes and will honor its obligation to defend and indemnify present or former public employees, including officials of the county government, from non-criminal acts or omissions within the scope of their employment which are alleged to violate state or federal election laws, and the county desires to assure its officials of assistance and protection. Officials of the county government need to be responsible and vigilant as well, however, and recognize that election law violations will not be tolerated. Allegations that an official of the county government has violated a state or federal election law or a restriction upon political activity may result in any one or more of the following actions being taken by the county:
(1) Referring the situation to the State Election Board, appropriate prosecuting authority and/or the Attorney General;
(2) Referring the official of the county government to the employee assistance program;
(3) Issuing a private or public reprimand of the official of the county government;
(4) Seeking to recover some or all of the defense and indemnity costs and obligations incurred on behalf of the official of the county government;
(5) Seeking to have an impeachment or removal proceeding initiated against the official of the county government pursuant to state law; and/or
(6) Seeking to institute any other appropriate responsive action available.
(D) The county fully intends to comply with state and federal election laws, avoid violations thereof and consequent liability, and afford protection to itself and all officials of the county government from meritless allegations. The county requests and expects the sincere efforts and cooperation of all officials of the county government involved in accomplishing these goals.
(Prior Code, § 3-14-4-1) (Res. 98-363, passed 6-15-1998, 1998 COM REC 363–365)