A Question of Ethics Are local agencies complying with new ethics law? Synopsis

The Grand Jury received verification of compliance of AB 1234 from these agencies: • Santa Cruz County: Davenport Sanitation District, Freedom Sanitation District, Graham Hill Rd. County Service Area, Pajaro Storm Drain Maintenance District, County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, County Sanitation District, Solid Waste Disposal District, County Service Area Manager • Cities: Santa Cruz, Scott Valley, Capitola, Watsonville • Water Districts: Scotts Valley, Soquel Creek, San Lorenzo Valley, Pajaro Valley • Fire Protection Districts: Central, Pajaro Valley, Zayante, Aptos/La Selva, Ben Lomond, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek, Felton • Salsipuedes Sanitary District • Pajaro Valley Cemetery District

The County Administrative Office reported to the County Board of Supervisors outlining requirements of AB 1234, who then directed all county department heads to comply.

All county employees are subject to the provisions of Government Code Section 1126, et seq., Santa Cruz County Code Section 3.40 and Section 173 of the County Personnel Rules and Regulations regarding incompatible activities.

The County Board of Supervisors directed the Personnel Department to maintain records of training completed by officials.

Special district agencies learned of ethics training requirements from counsel, district associations and financial auditors.

Seven agencies provided their written ethics policies.

Most county officials opted to take the ethics course online.

At least four special district agencies had staff who took an online ethics course.

Three agencies staff received training from their independent auditors.

Five identified legal counsel as providing training.

District Association meetings provided training classes to at least eight agencies.

Two agencies reported the training was helpful and informative.

One agency commented that state officials would benefit from this training. Conclusion The agencies in Santa Cruz County are complying with AB 1234 by participating in ethics training and developing policies to comply. Commendation The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury thanks all county agencies for responding to our survey and complying with AB 1234. “The government is merely a servant — merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.” — Mark Twain Sources • Responses to Grand Jury questionnaire by 26 county agencies • Web sites: o Institute for Global Ethics http://www.globalethics.org/about/faq.htm o California State Senate http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/asm/ab_1201- 1250/ab_1234_bill_20051007_chapterd.html o Office of the Attorney General http://caag.state.ca.us/ethics/ o OnLine AB 1234 Ethics Training http://localethics.fppc.ca.gov/ab1234/ o California Special Districts Association http://www.csda.net/ o Institute for Local Government http://www.ca-ilg.org/trust/ o League of California Cities http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/25287.ELR2007.pdf This page intentionally left blank.