The Department of Human Resources has been in the process of developing an ethics policy for some time.  Most recently, a draft policy was brought to your Board on December 11, 2012.  The item now brought for consideration is the revised version which was developed, per Board direction, with guidance and input from the Supervisor Saylor and Supervisor McGowan.

The development of the Ethics Policy included utilizing the International City/County Management Association ethics tenets and the California State Association of Counties ethics guidelines. Prior drafts were reviewed by county counsel, a focus group of employees and the department head working group. The resulting policy outlines our collective ideas surrounding the behaviors we should expect of ourselves and peers.

With Board concurrence, staff recommends proceeding with development of implementation strategies for the Ethics Policy which will include discussions with labor units, a staff training component, template for departments to individualize expectations, and a procedure for notification of ethics violations. Staff will return in July for Board approval of the policy and supporting implementation plan.