It is essential to the proper government and administration of the county that its
chief executive, board of commissioners, appointive officials, duly appointed members
of the county planning commission and the county board of appeals be, and give the
appearance of being, independent and impartial; that public service not be used for
private gain; and that there be public confidence in the integrity of the county.
Because the attainment of one (1) or more of these ends is impaired whenever there
exists in fact or appears to exist a conflict between the private interests and public
responsibilities of county officials, the public interest requires that the county
protect against such conflicts of interest by establishing appropriate ethical standards
with respect to the conduct of the officials named above in situations where a conflict
may exist. It is also essential to the efficient operation of the county that those
persons best qualified be encouraged to serve in positions of public trust. Accordingly,
the standards hereinafter set forth must be so interpreted and understood as not to
unreasonably frustrate or impede the desire or inclination to seek and serve in public
office by those persons best qualified to serve. To that end, the officials hereinabove
named should not, except as otherwise provided by law, be denied the opportunity available
to all other citizens to acquire and maintain private, economic and other interests
except where a conflict of interest situation would necessarily result. The policy
and purpose of this division, therefore, is to make clear those standards of ethical
conduct that shall be applicable to the officials named above in the discharge of
their official duties; to implement the objective of protecting the integrity of the
county's government and to prescribe only such essential restrictions against conflict
of interest as will not impose unnecessary barriers against public service.
(Code 1976, § 1-1010(a))
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