Financial disclosure rules for county officials and candidates

The Mayor, Councilpersons, Managing Director, heads and deputies of all departments, agencies, and divisions, members of boards and commissions, the purchasing administrator, and regulatory employees shall, within 30 days of assuming office, file with the Board of Ethics a list of all real property within the County in which he or she has any right, title or interest; a list of all business firms which contract for County business in which he or she has interest; all places of employment, including part-time employment; and all sources and amounts of income, business ownership, officer and director positions, debts, creditor interests in insolvent businesses and the names of persons represented before government agencies. Amendments to the list, including additions, deletions or changes in title, interest in property or of employment, shall be made within 30 days of the occurrence of the amendment. The list shall be a matter of public record; provided that the lists of regulatory employees shall not be open to public inspection.All candidates for elective office shall, within seven days of filing nomination papers, file with the Board of Ethics a list of all real property within the County in which he or she has any right, title or interest; a list of all business firms which contract for County business in which he or she has any interest; all places of employment, including part-time employment; and all sources and amounts of income, business ownership, officer and director positions, debts, creditor interests in insolvent businesses and the names of persons represented before government agencies. Amendments to the list, including additions, deletions or changes in title, interest in property or of employment shall be made within seven days of the occurrence of the amendment. The list shall be a matter of public record.The Board of Ethics shall prescribe the form or forms to be executed and shall fix the date when the initial disclosure must be filed.Any Councilmember who has a financial interest in any proposed legislation before the Council shall disclose on the record of the Council the nature and extent of the interest.Any employee who has a financial interest in any proposed legislative action of the Council and who participates in discussion with or gives an official opinion or recommendation to the Council shall disclose on the record of the Council the nature and extent of the interests.In addition to the non-compulsory meetings that can be called by the chairman or by a majority of the Board of Ethics there shall be one compulsory meeting of the Board of Ethics that shall be held annually on a date designated by the Board of Ethics for the purpose of reviewing and verifying all disclosure forms to insure that they have been kept current and that any modifications thereon have been duly recorded.Any violation of any of the provisions of this Section shall, at the option of the Director of Finance, render forfeit and void the contract, work, business, sale or transaction affected. Any violation of any of the provisions of this Section shall constitute cause for fine, suspension or removal from office or employment.