All subordinate deputies, employees and appointees serving in the executive branch of county government shall adhere to the following standards of ethics.
(A) Conflicts of interest. No member of the executive branch shall use his or her position to influence any decision or action in any matter in which he or she has any economic interest distinguishable from that of the public generally.
(B) Gifts. No member of the executive branch shall accept any gift based upon any understanding, either explicit or implicit, that a judgement or decision will be influenced.
(C) Advice or assistance. No member of the executive branch shall solicit or accept any gift in return for advice or assistance on any matter concerning the operation or business of the county.
(D) Use of county-owned property. No member of the executive branch shall engage in or permit unauthorized use of county-owned property.
(E) Use or disclosure of confidential information. No member of the executive branch shall disclose confidential information or use confidential information gained in the course of his or her position for financial gain.
(F) Interest in county business. No member of the executive branch shall have a financial interest in:
(1) Any contract, work or business of the county; or
(2) In the purchase of any property that belongs to the county or in the sale of any property by the county which exceeds the value of $500.
(G) Nepotism. No member of the executive branch shall hire, or hire in any county agency, any person who is a relative as defined as a spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent or grandchild, solely because of that relationship. Whenever any hiring takes place, it will be presumed that it was done solely because of the existing relationship and it will be incumbent on the hiring officer or agency to demonstrate otherwise.
(H) Campaign ethics. No member of the executive branch shall knowingly suggest, compel, coerce or intimidate any person to make or refrain from making any political contribution.
(1980 Code, § 31.01) (Executive Order 89-1, dated 2-16-1989)