Except as otherwise provided by law or by rules and regulations promulgated by the state or the federal government for federally-aided programs, county employees may voluntarily participate in political activity subject to the following provisions.
(A) No employee shall be denied the opportunity to become an applicant for a position by virtue of political opinion or affiliation.
(B) No employee, other than an employee appointed as a political appointment by an elected official, may be dismissed from service due to political opinion or affiliation.
(C) An employee may voluntarily contribute funds to political groups and become a candidate for public office. The intent of this provision is to allow the individual freedom of political expression, and to allow employees to serve as voting county officers and as stated or county delegates without jeopardizing public programs for which they are responsible.
(D) No employee, whether elected or appointed, or department head/elected official may directly or indirectly coerce, command, advise or solicit any officer or employee covered under the personnel system to pay, lend or contribute part of his or her salary or compensation or anything else of value to any party, committee, organization, agency or person for political purposes. No supervisor, manager, department head or employee, whether elected or appointed, may attempt to make any officer’s or employee’s employment status dependent upon the employee’s support or lack of support for any political party, committee, organization, agency or person engaged in a political activity.
(Ord. passed 6- -2019)