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Findings and Recommendations 7 findings
F1
Public officials are stewards of the public trust and maintain it by placing the civic interest ahead of their own. Even the appearance of impropriety damages public faith in government. Citizens expect its officials to conduct business in a lawful and ethical manner.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The unparalleled development of Orange County from an agrarian to world- class economy in the post-World War II era led to the creation of a “power elite” of land developers and public officials. The influence of “development dollars” in the form of contributions to public officials resulted in a series of public corruption cases over a forty-year period. Other ethics scandals involved the abuse of power.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Orange County Board of Supervisors shall select Blue Ribbon Commission members based upon their knowledge of government ethics, ability to conduct research and desire to make positive change to Orange County government. Their selection should represent a cross-section of Orange County‟s population and be free of political influence. Commission applicants should be vetted and randomly selected from an approved pool of candidates. [F2, F7]
F3
Orange County reacted to the 1994 bankruptcy scandal by creating a patchwork of oversight offices to audit financial, performance and professional standards. These offices have varying levels of independence, jurisdiction and legislative support. They need to be accountable as well.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Orange County Board of Supervisors creates a Blue Ribbon Commission to study ethics programs in California and around the nation. The Commission shall recommend an ethics reform program and oversight authority to the Board of Supervisors [F1, F3, F6, F7]
R3
The Board of Supervisors shall require that ethics reform recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission address the following in their report: [F3, F4, F5,
F4
Unethical behavior at the local government level is not something that “simply fixes itself.” The County needs an independent Ethics Program that provides training, advice and guidance to public officials and private persons seeking to do business with government.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Orange County Board of Supervisors creates a Blue Ribbon Commission to study ethics programs in California and around the nation. The Commission shall recommend an ethics reform program and oversight authority to the Board of Supervisors [F1, F3, F6, F7]
R3
The Board of Supervisors shall require that ethics reform recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission address the following in their report: [F3, F4, F5,
F5
Citizens need a clearinghouse to voice complaints about actual and perceived incidents of corruption and unethical behavior by public officials.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Orange County Board of Supervisors creates a Blue Ribbon Commission to study ethics programs in California and around the nation. The Commission shall recommend an ethics reform program and oversight authority to the Board of Supervisors [F1, F3, F6, F7]
R3
The Board of Supervisors shall require that ethics reform recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission address the following in their report: [F3, F4, F5,
F6
In California, the Cities of San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland have ethics commissions that address similar ethics issues.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Orange County lacks effective ethics oversight of its public officials.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Orange County Board of Supervisors creates a Blue Ribbon Commission to study ethics programs in California and around the nation. The Commission shall recommend an ethics reform program and oversight authority to the Board of Supervisors [F1, F3, F6, F7]
R2
The Orange County Board of Supervisors shall select Blue Ribbon Commission members based upon their knowledge of government ethics, ability to conduct research and desire to make positive change to Orange County government. Their selection should represent a cross-section of Orange County‟s population and be free of political influence. Commission applicants should be vetted and randomly selected from an approved pool of candidates. [F2, F7]