BOARD OF FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF
FRANKLIN COUNTY, KANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. 06-031
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, pursuant to K.S.A. 19-101, 19-101a, and 19-212, has the responsibility and authority to transact county business and legislate on matters of concern to the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, the powers and responsibilities of county government are to be exercised solely on behalf of the public interest, and are conferred as a matter of public trust; and
WHEREAS, the purposes of government can best be served by public confidence and trust in the integrity of all county officials, employees and other agents when performing their official duties; and
WHEREAS, in the performance of their officials duties, elected and appointed government officials can best serve the interests of the county and its citizens by the adherence to a code of accepted and recognized moral principles associated with the honor of duty of public service; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Franklin County elected and appointed leaders engaged in learning and dialogue about the ethical principles that should guide their conduct and the conduct of all others who serve Franklin County citizens; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Franklin County elected and appointed leaders achieved consensus in the form of a written code of ethics, that defines the ethical principles that should govern the conduct of all who serve Franklin County citizens; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, KANSAS
That the attached Code of Ethics for Franklin County government shall be and hereby is adopted, and the Code of Ethics for Franklin County government shall be and hereby is adopted, and the Code of Ethics shall become effective and be applicable, upon adoption of this Resolution, to all members of the Board of County Commissioners, to all other elected officials of Franklin County government, to all appointed county employees and to all volunteer citizens duly appointed by the Board to serve upon any advisory board, commission or agency of the county, and to all other agents, representatives or other persons acting for or on behalf of Franklin County.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Franklin County, Kansas, that Franklin County’s personnel policies shall be amended to conform to the greatest extent possible to the attached Code of Ethics for Franklin County government;
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Franklin County, Kansas, that all current county employees as well as those hired in the future, shall receive training as to their responsibilities related to the attached Code of Ethics for Franklin County government;
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Franklin County, Kansas, that this Resolution and the attached Code of Ethics for Franklin County government shall be distributed and made available to all other personals who serve in an official capacity for Franklin County government;
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Franklin County, Kansas, that this Resolution and the attached Code of Ethics for Franklin County government shall be distributed and made available to all interested persons in the community.
WHEREUPON, the Board of County Commissioners of Franklin County, Kansas, passes and adopts this Resolution in regular session, at its chambers in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas, this 24th day of May , 2006.
/s/ John E. Taylor
John E. Taylor, Chairman
APPROVED, received and recorded this 24th day of May, 2006.
/s/ Shari Perry
Shari Perry, Franklin County Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT
As those who carry out the mission of Franklin County government, we acknowledge that the legal powers and responsibilities conferred upon us are given by the community as a public trust. If we are to be worthy of our trusteeship, our duties must be at all times exercised on behalf of the public interest and our actions guided by moral principles that honor the privilege of public service.
We have created the following code of ethical conduct as a means of defining the principles that will guide our pursuit of integrity in the performance of our county duties. We intend that our code will be used by county officials, employees and volunteers to communicate the obligations of public service and also to clarify a proper course of action when an ethical issue is discovered.
The Franklin County Code of Ethical Conduct is officially adopted for county government by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners. Moreover, by the consensus of all elected and appointed county leaders, this code represents the ethical standards by which we will hold ourselves, county employees, contracting agencies and county board volunteers accountable to community.
Principle 1
We will honor the tenets of democracy, and demonstrate respect for the institutions of government and the persons who serve them. In service to Franklin County we will:
· Invite and listen to the voices of county citizens before recommending or making decisions
· Promote decisions and actions that are grounded in the broad community interest rather than favored special interests
· Affirm the contributions of government at all levels to the well being of the community
· Support the decisions made by the Board of County Commissioners and work constructively to implement them.
Principle 2
We will strive for honest, transparent and full communication about public policy and the delivery of county services. In service to Franklin County we will:
· Disclose accurate and complete information about county government decisions and actions, except in those instances where confidentiality is required by state or federal law
· Insist upon the practice of open government so citizens are informed about county services and the rationale for county decisions
· Guard against misleading or allowing others to mislead to the public
· Report suspected unethical or illegal misconduct by a county official, employee, or volunteer to the appropriate investigative authority.
Principle 3
We will exercise rigorous stewardship of county resources in keeping with the public interest and hold ourselves accountable for their designated use. In service to Franklin County we will:
· Allocate and use county funds, personnel and equipment with maximum efficiency and effectiveness
· Encourage and reward cost of savings, innovation and excellence in the delivery of county services
· Engage in continuous learning and professional development so as to enhance the quality of our contributions to the community
· Practice strong fiscal oversight of public expenditures and thorough disclosure of all financial information.
Principle 4
We will seek fairness and the appearance of impartiality in the performance of our county responsibilities. In service to Franklin County we will:
· Render county services in equal and responsive measure to all citizens
· Advocate equal opportunity and guard against any form of discrimination
· Determine all county employment decisions, including hiring, promotion, compensation and termination, solely on the basis of merit
· Refrain from participation in the political campaigns of those seeking county offices if doing so could undermine public confidence in the impartiality of our service to the county.
Principle 5
We will demonstrate respectful and courteous conduct with all citizens, county elected officials and employees, and representatives of other community and government agencies. In service to Franklin County we will:
· Honor the right of all citizens to communicate with government on behalf of their interests
· Work with all our county colleagues in a spirit of collaboration and teamwork to carry out the county’s mission
· Make ourselves available to the inquires of all constituents, and follow through on professional commitments a timely and thorough manner
· Value differing points of view and resolve conflict in a way that preserves respectful relationships.
Principle 6
We will protect public confidence in our integrity by rejecting use of our county position for personal gain. In service to Franklin County we will:
· Decline to solicit or receive any gift, gratuity or tangible benefit for ourselves, family members or personal friends that could be reasonably construed as an attempt to influence decisions about public policy or county services.
· Refrain from using county property or county time for personal benefit
· Decline to use or share confidential information gained in the course of our county duties for personal advantage.