§ 2-97. Reimbursement for employees in matters pending before the county's ethics board or the state ethics commission.

(a)

Reimbursement for a final favorable decision. Whenever an employee is the subject of an ethics complaint filed with the county's ethics board or the state ethics commission, and said violation arises out of or in connection with the performance of his/her official county duties, the county shall reimburse reasonable legal expenses incurred by the employee. Reimbursement will occur only when the employee has:

(1)

Received prior approval by the county attorney in the manner set forth in subsection (b);

(2)

Hired and retained counsel to represent his/her interests; and

(3)

Received a final favorable decision on some or all ethical claims.

(b)

Prerequisite for reimbursement for a final favorable decision. The county shall reimburse such reasonable legal expenses only for the ethical claims for which the employee received a final favorable decision. If an employee wishes to seek reimbursement for reasonable legal expenses, prior to retaining counsel, the employee shall request, in writing to the county attorney, a determination of the reasonable hourly rate to be used in the representation. The county attorney shall determine the hourly rate and advise the employee and his/her counsel of the rate to be charged for representation of the employee. Additionally, in determining the total amount of reimbursement of reasonable legal expenses to be paid upon a final favorable decision, the county attorney shall review the bill and determine the amount of reasonable legal expenses to be paid to the employee's attorney.

( Ord. No. 16-01 , Pt. I, 3-8-16)