CHAPTER 32: CODE OF ETHICS

Section

General Provisions

   32.01   Title

   32.02   Findings

   32.03   Purpose

   32.04   Definitions

Standards of Conduct

   32.15   Conflicts of interest generally

   32.16   Conflicts of interest in contracts

   32.17   Receipts gifts

   32.18   Use of county property, equipment and personnel

   32.19   Representations of interest

   32.20   Confidential information; misuse

   32.21   Honoraria

   32.22   Nepotism

Financial Disclosures

   32.35   Required filing

   32.36   Filing deadlines; amended statements

   32.37   Forms; financial statements

   32.38   Control and maintenance of statements

   32.39   Contents of financial interests statement

   32.40   Noncompliance

Administration; Board of Ethics

   32.55   Creation

   32.56   Alternate members

   32.57   Facilities and staff

   32.58   Powers and duties

   32.59   Filing and investigation of complaints

   32.60   Notice of hearings

   32.61   Hearing procedure

   32.62   Appeals

   32.63   Limitation of actions

   32.64   Reprisals; violations

   32.99   Penalty

GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 32.01 TITLE.

   This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “County Code of Ethics.”

(2001 Code, § 32.01) (Ord. passed 11-10-1994)

Statutory reference:

   Code of Ethics, see KRS 65.003

§ 32.02 FINDINGS.

   (A)   The Fiscal Court finds and declares that:

      (1)   Public office and employment with the county are public trusts; and

      (2)   The vitality and stability of the government of the county depends upon the public’s confidence in the integrity of its elected and appointed officers and employees. Whenever the public perceives a conflict between the private interests and public duties of a county officer or employee, that confidence is imperiled.

   (B)   The Fiscal Court has a duty to provide its citizens with standards by which they may determine whether public duties are being faithfully performed, and to make its officers and employees aware of the standard which the citizenry rightfully expects them to comply with while conducting their public duties.

(2001 Code, § 32.02) (Ord. passed 11-10-1994)

§ 32.03 PURPOSE.

   It is the purpose of this chapter to provide a method of assuring that standards of ethical conduct and financial disclosure requirements for officers and employees of the county shall be clearly established, uniform in their application and enforceable, and to provide the officers and employees of the county with advice and information concerning potential conflicts of interest which might arise in the conduct of their public duties.

(2001 Code, § 32.03) (Ord. passed 11-10-1994)

§ 32.04 DEFINITIONS.

   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   BOARD OF ETHICS. The County Board of Ethics which is created and vested by this chapter with the responsibility of enforcing the requirements of the county’s code of ethics.

   BUSINESS. Any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual, holding company, joint stock company, receivership, trust, professional service corporation or any legal entity through which BUSINESS is conducted for profit.

   CANDIDATE. Any individual who seeks nomination or election to a county office. An individual is a CANDIDATE when the individual files a notification and declaration for nomination for office with the County Clerk or Secretary of State, or is nominated for office by a political party, or files a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the County Clerk or Secretary of State.

   COUNTY. The County of Lincoln, Kentucky.

   COUNTY AGENCY. Any board, commission, authority, non-stock corporation or other entity created, either individually or jointly, by the county.

   EMPLOYEE. Any person, whether full-time or part-time, and whether paid or unpaid, who is employed by or provides service to the county. The term EMPLOYEE shall not include any contractor or subcontractor or any of their employees.

   FAMILY MEMBER. A spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or grandchild.

   IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER. A spouse, an unemancipated child residing in the officer’s or employee’s household or a person claimed by the officer or employee, or the officer’s or employee’s spouse, as a dependent for tax purposes.

   OFFICER. Any person, whether full-time or part-time, and whether paid or unpaid, who is one of the following:

      (1)   County Judge/Executive;

      (2)   A Fiscal Court member;

      (3)   The County Clerk;

      (4)   The County Attorney;

      (5)   The County Jailer;

      (6)   The County Sheriff;

      (7)   The County Coroner;

      (8)   Constables; and

      (9)   A member of the governing body of any county agency who has been appointed to the governing body of the agency by the county.

(2001 Code, § 32.04) (Ord. passed 11-10-1994)