Score: +7 (8/2/1)

Nevada County Grand Jury • 2015-2016

The Value of Transparency in the Nevada County Board of Supervisors

Published: April 25, 2016 7 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 7 findings

The Supervisors receive two hours of ethics training on a bi-annual basis.

No recommendations for this finding

The citizens of Nevada County expect and deserve that their elected officials serve the public’s interests, not private or political interests.

No recommendations for this finding

While legal requirements are specific, ethical decisions are personal and have significant influence on perceptions of the public when evaluating Supervisor actions and transparency.

No recommendations for this finding

The Supervisors are ethical people who conduct their business with good intent.

No recommendations for this finding

Most of the Supervisors believe ethics refers to the Form 700 filings required from elected officials each year by the FPPC.

Related Recommendations (1)

Seek additional training and information to understand the difference between legal requirements and ethical considerations.

While a lack of public recusal by a Supervisor on an issue pending before the Board may be legal in the strict sense of law, it may give the public the perception of unethical behavior.

Related Recommendations (2)

Seek additional training and information to understand the difference between legal requirements and ethical considerations.

Increase personal awareness of the need for public transparency between the Supervisors and parties with business before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.

The Order and Decorum lacks sufficient guidance to Supervisors in assisting them in their personal decision making on questions of recusal.

Related Recommendations (2)

Develop and implement guidelines to assist the Nevada County Board of Supervisors in its decisions as to whether recusal is appropriate on a particular issue.

Augment the Order and Decorum document, particularly in the area of public transparency of relationships between a Supervisor and parties with business before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

The Value of Transparency - Required Response

June 14, 2016 • 4 pages • 11 responses • Score: +7 (+8, 2, -1) View Details ▾

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11 responses to findings and recommendations

The Supervisors receive two hours of ethics training on a bi-annual basis.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Supervisors receive two hours of ethics training on a bi-annual basis. Agree.

Seek additional training and information to understand the difference between legal requirements and ethical considerations.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

. between legal requirements and ethical considerations. The recommendation is being implemented. These matters are covered comprehensively in the Ethics training the Supervisors receive that meets the requirements of AB 1234, and in the New Supervisor orientation every Supervisor receives through the California State Association of Counties. This training must meet requirements of State law and therefore is provided separately by a qualified legal expert. In addition, the Board members are regularly advised by County Counsel as issues arise, and members are encouraged to seek assistance from...

The citizens of Nevada County expect and deserve that their elected officials serve the public’s interests, not private or political interests.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The citizens of Nevada County expect and deserve that their elected officials serve the public's interests, not private or political interests. Agree.

Develop and implement guidelines to assist the Nevada County Board of Supervisors in its decisions as to whether recusal is appropriate on a particular issue.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

. Supervisors in its decisions as to whether recusal is appropriate on a particular issue. The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented by March 1, 2017. Although such guidelines are covered comprehensively in the AB 1234 Ethics training and in the New Supervisor orientation every Supervisor receives through the California State Association of Counties, the Board will consider revisions to strengthen and clarify the Order and Decorum document at its annual workshop in January 2017. Whatever amendments are agreed to at the workshop will be implemented at a subsequen...

While legal requirements are specific, ethical decisions are personal and have significant influence on perceptions of the public when evaluating Supervisor actions and transparency.

Response: Agree Score: +1

While legal requirements are specific, ethical decisions are personal and have significant influence on perceptions of the public when evaluating Supervisor actions and transparency. Agree.

Augment the Order and Decorum document, particularly in the area of public transparency of relationships between a Supervisor and parties with business before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

. public transparency of relationships between a Supervisor and parties with business before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors. The recommendation has not yet been implemented but will be implemented by March 1, 2017. The Board will consider revisions to strengthen and clarify the Order and Decorum document at its annual workshop in January 2017. Whatever amendments are agreed to at the workshop will be implemented at a subsequent Board meeting in February, 2017. Increase personal awareness of the need for public transparency between R4. the Supervisors and parties with business before...

The Supervisors are ethical people who conduct their business with good intent.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Supervisors are ethical people who conduct their business with good intent. Agree.

Increase personal awareness of the need for public transparency between the Supervisors and parties with business before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

. the Supervisors and parties with business before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors. The recommendation has been implemented. These matters are covered in the Ethics training the Supervisors receive that meets the requirements of AB 1234, and in the New Supervisor orientation through the California State Association of Counties. Supervisors are made aware of and provided additional training opportunities as they may arise. Supervisors and County staff are encouraged to seek assistance from County Counsel if there is ever a question on how to proceed.

Most of the Supervisors believe ethics refers to the Form 700 filings required from elected officials each year by the FPPC.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

Most of the Supervisors believe ethics refers to the Form 700 filings required from elected officials each year by the FPPC. Disagree. The annual Form 700 filing is required by the California Government Code Section 87200 as a means for judicial, elected and appointed officials to publicly disclose certain economic interests. The Board understands that ethics laws extend beyond the Form 700 to encompass a comprehensive and complex array of issues ranging from Open Meetings Law (the "Brown Act"), public contracting, due process, perquisites and other official acts to codes of conduct when we ar...

While a lack of public recusal by a Supervisor on an issue pending before the Board may be legal in the strict sense of law, it may give the public the perception of unethical behavior.

Response: Agree Score: +1

the Board may be legal in the strict sense of law, it may give the public the perception of unethical behavior. Agree. The Order and Decorum lacks sufficient guidance to Supervisors in

The Order and Decorum lacks sufficient guidance to Supervisors in assisting them in their personal decision making on questions of recusal.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

assisting them in their personal decision making on questions of recusal. Partially agree. Because the Board members receive focused ethics training that meets the legal requirements of AB 1234, the Order and Decorum is not intended for that purpose. Instead, it is designed to provide general guidance on the conduct of meetings. However, item #13 of the Order and Decorum does seek to address the matter of abstention and recusal. As indicated in Responses R2 and R3 below, the Board will consider revisions to this document during its annual workshop in January 2017. RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS ...

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Nevada County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office