Ethics in Bibb County, Georgia

A quick search developed this information regarding "The Golden Rule" which from my point of view is the premier "Ethics" statement that we all would do well to emulate:

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31, King James Version.

The above information provided so that all the readers here are aware as to how we are all expected to live and conduct our daily involvements with other fellow members of the human race. Admittedly the quote above is from the "Christian" viewpoint; however please be aware that all of the Faith expressions in this world have a similiar policy or concept regarding "Ethics."

Now comes the Bibb County, Georgia Commission who will consider the following this very evening in a Full Commission Meeting here in Macon, Georgia:

Covered officials and employees shall not exceed their authority or breachthe law, or ask others to do so, and they shall work in full cooperationwith other public officials and employees unless prohibited from so doingby law or by officially recognized confidentiality of their work. Each covered official and employee of Bibb County shall:

(1)Uphold the Constitution, laws and regulations of the United States, theState of Georgia, and all governments therein and never be a party totheir evasion;

(2) Never discriminate by the dispensing ofspecial favors or privileges to anyone, whether or not for remuneration;

(3) Not engage in any business with the government, or allow anymember of his/her immediate family to engage in any business with thegovernment, either directly or indirectly, which is inconsistent with theconscientious performance of his/her governmental duties;

(4)Never use any information coming to him/her confidentially in theperformance of governmental duties as a means for making private profit;

(5) Expose corruption wherever discovered;

(6) Never solicit,accept, or agree to accept gifts, loans, gratuities, discounts, favors,hospitality, or services from any person, association, or corporation forhimself/herself, or any member of his/her immediate family, undercircumstances from which it could reasonably be inferred that a majorpurpose of the donor is to influence the performance of theofficial's employee's official duties. For gifts, loans, gratuities,discounts, favors, hospitality, or services solicited, accepted, oragreed to accept under circumstances from which it cannot be reasonablyinferred that a major purpose of the donor was to influence theperformance of the official's employee's official duties, the followingrules shall apply: A covered official shall publicly disclose, prior todiscussing or taking any official action on any matter involving thedonor, any gift or campaign contribution (cash or in kind) received byhim/her, or any member of his/her immediate family, greater than onehundred dollars ($100.00). Receipt of gifts and campaign contributionsvalued at five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more by a covered official,or member of his/her immediate family, will prohibit the covered officialfrom participating or taking official action on any matter involving the donor;

(7) Never accept any economic opportunity for himself/herself,or any member of his/her immediate family, under circumstances wherehe/she knows or should know that there is a substantial possibility thatthe opportunity is being afforded with intent to influence his/herconduct in the performance of his/her official duties. All businessrelationships, regardless of the dollar amount involved, between acovered official, or a member of his/her immediate family, and anyonehaving business with the county shall be publicly disclosed prior to anydiscussion or official action being taken on the matter. Should the businessrelationship provide a covered official, or a member of his/her immediatefamily, with at least six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) on an annualbasis, such covered official shall be prohibited from participating ortaking official action on any matter involving the person with whom such business relationship exists; and

(8) Never engage in otherconduct which is unbecoming to an official employee or which constitutes a breach of public trust.

Sec. _ __. Procedure for alleged violations.

(a) Alleged violations of this code of ethics must be submitted via written, sworn complaint to the clerk of the board of commissioners of Bibb County. Consistent with the open meetings laws, theboard of commissioners shall review all complaints against coveredofficials and employees except those complaints filed against a member ofthe board of commissioners. A majority of the full board of commissionersmust agree that a sufficient basis has been given to warrant a publichearing. Certain violations alleged against employees may be referredthrough the proper channels within the employee handbook's disciplinaryprocedures.

(b) The board of commissioners shall conduct thepublic hearing to determine whether, based upon clear and convincingevidence, the covered official or employee violated the code of ethics.Covered officials and employees are subject to the following penaltiesand action for violations of this code of ethics:

(1) Writtenreprimand or public censure;

(2) Recovery of value transferred orreceived by the county;

(3) Cancellation of the contract or rejectionof the bid or offer;

(4) A monetary fine not to exceed one thousanddollars ($1,000.00); and

(5) Demotion or termination. Ifa complaint is received by the clerk of the board of commissioners whichalleges a violation of the code of ethics by a member of the board ofcommissioners, an independent review board will be formed if thecomplaint alleges sufficient facts which, if proven to be true, would bea violation of the code of ethics.

The county attorney of any county within the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, except the county attorney for Bibb County, shall make the determination of whether or not a review board should be impaneled. If a review board is needed, three county attorneys within reasonably close geographical proximity to the county will be requested to conduct a public hearing based upon the complaint. Amajority vote, based on clear and convincing evidence, will determine the existence of a violation.

A lot of words to simply state that no duly elected citizen (official) and/or any county employee shall not abuse his/her position for personal gain or for the gain of others which is simply stated in the "Golden Rule," quoted above. Treat others as you would have them treat you!!

Enough said!!!