Ulster County, NY Ethics and Disclosure

Establish standards of ethical conduct for officers, employees and consultants of Ulster County;

Provide officers, employees and consultants of Ulster County, whether elected or appointed, paid or volunteer, with clear guidance on such standards;

Promote public confidence and integrity in the agencies and administrative offices of our local government;

Facilitate the consideration of potential ethical problems before they arise, minimize unwarranted suspicion, and enhance the accountability of government to the people by requiring public disclosure of financial interests that may influence or be perceived to influence the actions of Ulster County officers and employees; and

Provide for the fair and effective administration of this chapter.

This chapter is enacted pursuant to § 806 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York and § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law and is not intended to authorize any conduct prohibited by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.

§ 44-3 Definitions.

Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meaning herein indicated:

APPEAR and APPEAR BEFORE: Communicating in any form, including, without limitation, personally, through another person, by letter, or by telephone or electronic means.

BOARD OF ETHICS: The Board of Ethics of the County of Ulster established pursuant to § 44-8 of this chapter.

CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER: The Commissioner of Finance or other officer possessing similar powers and duties.
[Amended 8-17-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]

CONTRACT: Any claim, account or demand against or agreement with the County, express or implied, and shall include the designation of a depository of public funds and the designation of a newspaper, including but not limited to an official newspaper, for the publication of any notice, resolution, ordinance, local law or other proceeding where such publication is required or authorized by law.

CONTRACTUAL GOODS/SERVICES: Any work performed or goods delivered by the County officer to another person under mutual agreement of the two parties and provided the transaction has been finalized, without dispute, by the two parties.

COUNTY: County of Ulster, and shall include any County improvement district, district corporation, or other district or a joint service established for the purpose of carrying on, performing or financing one or more improvements or services intended to benefit the health, welfare, safety or convenience of the inhabitants of the County or to benefit the real property within the County.

COUNTY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE: Any officer or employee of the County, whether paid or unpaid, and includes, without limitation, all members of any office, board, body, advisory board, council, commission, agency, department, district, administration, division, bureau or committee of the County. "County officer or employee" shall not include:

CUSTOMER or CLIENT: Any person for whom a County officer or employee has directly supplied contractual goods/services during the previous 24 hours.

DOMESTIC PARTNER

A person at least 18 years of age who, with respect to another person:

Is formally a party in a domestic partnership or similar relationship with the other person, entered into pursuant to the laws of the United States or any state, local or foreign jurisdiction, or registered as the domestic partner of the person with any registry maintained by the employer of either party or any state, municipality, or foreign jurisdiction;

Is formally recognized as a beneficiary or covered person under the other person's employment benefits or health insurance; or

OUTSIDE EMPLOYER OR BUSINESS

Is dependent or mutually interdependent on the other person for support, as evidenced by the totality of the circumstances indicating a mutual intent to be domestic partners, including but not limited to common ownership or joint leasing of real or personal property; common house-holding, shared income or shared expenses; children in common; signs of intent to marry or become domestic partners under Subsection A(1) or (2) of this definition; or the length of the personal relationship of the persons.

Each party to a domestic partnership shall be considered to be the domestic partner of the other party. "Domestic partner" shall not include a person who is related to the other person by blood in a manner that would bar marriage to the other person in New York State. "Domestic partner" shall also not include any person who is less than 18 years of age or who is the adopted child of the other person or who is related by blood in a manner that would bar marriage in New York State to a person who is the lawful spouse of the other person.

GIFT and FINANCIAL BENEFIT: Includes any money, service, license, permit, contract, authorization, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, or any promise thereof or any other gratuity or promise thereof or anything of value. A financial transaction may be a financial benefit but shall not be a gift unless it is on terms not available to the general public. "Gift" and "financial benefit" do not include campaign contributions authorized by law.

INTEREST: Direct or pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a County officer or employee as a result of a contract with the County which such officer or employee serves. For purposes of this chapter, a County officer or employee shall be deemed to have an interest in the contract of:

MINISTERIAL ACT: An action performed in a prescribed manner without the exercise of judgment or discretion as to the propriety of the act.

Any activity, other than service to the County, from which the County officer or employee receives compensation for services rendered or goods sold or produced;

Any entity, other than the County, of which the County officer or employee is a member, officer, director, or employee and from which he/she receives compensation for services rendered or goods sold or produced; or

Any entity in which the County officer or employee has an ownership interest, except a corporation of which the County officer or employee owns less than 5% of the outstanding stock.

For purposes of this definition, "compensation" shall not include reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel expenses.

PERSON: Both individuals and entities.

RELATIVE/IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER: A spouse, domestic partner, child or person claimed as a dependent on the County officer's or employee's latest individual state income tax return.

SUBORDINATE: The subordinate of a County officer or employee means another County officer or employee over whose activities he/she has direction, supervision, or control, except those who serve in positions that are in the exempt classification under § 41 of the Civil Service Law of the State of New York or in the unclassified service under § 35(a) through (f) of that law.

§ 44-4 Standard of conduct.

General prohibition. A County officer or employee shall not use his/her official position or office or take or fail to take any action in a matter which he/she knows or has reason to know may provide a personal financial benefit or secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for any of the following persons:

County officer or employee.

His/her outside employer, employee or business.

Relative or immediate family member.

Customer or client.

Campaign contributors.

Recusal. A County officer or employee shall promptly recuse himself/herself from acting on a matter before the County when acting on the matter, or failing to act on the matter, may benefit the persons listed above, financially or otherwise, or give the reasonable appearance of a conflict of interest or impropriety. Whenever a County officer or employee is required to recuse himself/herself, he/she must refrain from further participation in the matter (as officer or employee, but not as a private citizen).

Gifts. A County officer or employee shall not accept or solicit any gift valued over $75, nor shall he/she accept or solicit any gift or financial benefit under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence such County officer or employee in the performance of his/her official duties or was intended to be a reward for any official action on his/her part.

Representation. A County officer or employee shall not represent any private interest before any County agency or in any litigation in which the County of Ulster is a party or complainant.

Appearances. A County officer or employee shall not appear before any agency of the County except on his/her own behalf or on behalf of the County or on behalf of his or her constituent(s) in the case of a Legislator.

Confidential information. The New York State Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law § 87, Subdivision 2) describes information that is confidential. This description should guide County employees and officers as to the information that should be considered confidential. Confidential information under this chapter does not exceed the bounds for confidential information set by Public Officers Law § 87, Subdivision 2. Before a County employee or officer discloses information that may be considered confidential, he/she is encouraged to seek a written determination from the County Records Access Officer. The County Records Access Officer may seek an opinion from the County Attorney prior to making a determination. The restrictions on disclosure and use of confidential information described herein apply without regard to the circumstances in which the information was acquired and include information gained through means other that the possessor's association with the County.

Political solicitation. A County officer or employee shall not request or authorize anyone else to request any subordinate of the officer or employee to participate in an election campaign or contribute to a political committee.

Future employment. A County officer or employee shall not, after the termination of service or employment with the County, appear for financial gain before any board or agency of the County in relation to any case for a period of two years and shall not appear for financial gain at any time in any proceeding or application in which he/she personally participated during the period of his/her service or employment or which was under his/her active consideration.

Avoidance of conflicts. County officers and employees shall not knowingly acquire, solicit, negotiate for, or accept any interest, employment, or anything of value which would put them in violation of this chapter.

Inducement of others. A County officer or employee shall not induce or aid another officer or employee of the County to violate any of the provisions in this chapter.

Investments. A County officer or employee shall not invest or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any business, financial, commercial or other private transaction which would create a conflict with his/her official duties.

Disclosure regarding contract with employment of relatives and domestic partners.

Every County officer and employee related closer in degree, by blood or marriage, than first cousin, including a domestic partner or person related by domestic partner circumstances, to any person(s) seeking a contractual relationship with the County or seeking employment within any department, section or function of the County shall disclose such relationship as provided for pursuant to the further provisions of this section.

Any member of any County board, commission, council or other County agency related closer in degree, by blood or marriage, than first cousin, including a domestic partner or person related by domestic partner circumstances, to any person(s) seeking employment or making application before such body in which he/she serves shall disclose such relationship as provided for in this section.

The disclosure requirements of this section shall be made in writing, directed to the Clerk of the Legislature, and shall be made at the earliest opportunity next following the date upon which such officer, employee, or board member, commission member, council member, or agency member first learns of or has knowledge of the making of the application by the person seeking employment and/or appointment.

Use of public property. No officer or employee shall request or permit the use of County-owned vehicles, equipment, materials or property for personal convenience or profit except when such services are available to the public generally or are provided as policy for the use of such officer or employee in the conduct of official duties.

Waiver. A County officer or employee may apply for a waiver request form from any of the standards set forth herein upon a showing of compelling need. A waiver request form will be available from the Clerk of the Legislature or the Board of Ethics and may be modified from time to time as deemed necessary.

§ 44-5 Interest in contracts with County.

Prohibited interests.

No County officer or employee shall have an interest in a contract with the County, or an interest in a bank or trust company, that is prohibited by § 801 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.

Specifically, no County officer or employee shall have an interest in any contract with the County when he or she, individually or as a member of a board, has the power or duty to negotiate, prepare, authorize or approve the contract or approve payment thereunder, audit bills or claims under the contract, or appoint an officer or employee who has any powers or duties set forth above, and no County chief fiscal officer, or his or her deputy or employee shall have an interest in a bank or trust company designated as a depository, paying agent, or registration agent for investment of funds of the County of Ulster. This shall in no event be construed to preclude the payment of lawful compensation and necessary expenses of any County officer or employee in one or more positions of public employment, the holding of which is not prohibited by law.

[Amended 8-17-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]

Any contract willfully entered into by or with the County in which there is an interest prohibited shall be null, void, and wholly unenforceable, to the extent provided by § 804 of the General Municipal Law.

Discloseable interests. In accordance with § 803 of General Municipal Law, any County officer or employee who has, will have, or later acquires an interest in or whose spouse or domestic partner has, will have or later acquires an interest in any actual or proposed contract, purchase agreement, lease agreement or other agreement, including oral agreements, with the County shall publicly disclose the nature and extent of such interest in writing to and filing with his or her immediate supervisor and the Clerk of the County Legislature as soon as he or she has knowledge of such actual or prospective interest and as more specifically set forth in § 44-6 (annual disclosure) herein. Such written disclosure shall be made a part of and set forth in the official records of the proceedings of the Legislature. The Clerk of the Legislature shall also immediately file a copy of such disclosure with the County Executive and the Board of Ethics.

§ 44-6 Annual disclosure.

Annual disclosure will take place in accordance with § 812 of General Municipal Law, except the following provisions shall be controlling:

County officials and employees required to file disclosure statement. Annual disclosure statements shall be filed by all elected County officials, department heads and their deputies and those individuals who have the authority for policy-making decisions, including but not limited to the following list of titles, which may be amended from time to time by the chief executive officer of the County of Ulster with the approval of the County Legislature so as to include all those titles that are applicable.

[Amended 4-7-2009 by Res. No. 134]

County officers.

[Amended 5-18-2010 by Res. No. 133; 8-17-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]

	EXECUTIVE Executive Deputy Executives
	LEGISLATURE Chairperson Legislators Clerk to the Legislature Deputy Clerks Counsel to the Legislature Minority Counsel
	DISTRICT ATTORNEY District Attorney Assistant District Attorneys
	CONSUMER FRAUD BUREAU Director of Consumer Affairs Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs Director of Weights and Measures Deputy Director of Weights and Measures
	DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENDER Public Defender Deputy and Assistant Public Defenders
	COMPTROLLER Comptroller Deputy Comptrollers Auditor Deputy Auditors
	DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE Commissioner of Finance Deputy Commissioners of Finance
	DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING Director of Purchasing Deputy Directors of Purchasing
	REAL PROPERTY TAX SERVICE AGENCY Director Deputy Directors
	COUNTY CLERK County Clerk Deputy County Clerks Motor Vehicle Supervisors
	COUNTY ATTORNEY County Attorney Deputy County Attorneys Assistant County Attorneys
	DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL Personnel Director Deputy Personnel Directors
	BOARD OF ELECTIONS Commissioners Deputy Commissioners
	DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Commissioner of Public Works Deputy Commissioners of Public Works Buildings and Grounds Administrative Manager Highways and Bridges Administrative Manager
	DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Director of Public Transportation Deputy Directors of Public Transportation
	DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES Information Services Director Deputy Information Services Directors Assistant Director I.S./Application Development Assistant Director I.S./Operations Assistant Director I.S./Technical Support
	INSURANCE DEPARTMENT County Insurance Officer Deputy Insurance Officers
	SHERIFF Sheriff Undersheriff Head of Civil Division Head of Criminal Division Corrections Superintendent Warden
	DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION Director Deputy Probation Directors
	ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING PROGRAM Coordinator Deputy Coordinators
	STOP DWI Coordinator Deputy Coordinators
	FIRE COORDINATOR Fire Coordinator Deputy Coordinator
	DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Director Deputy Directors
	DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Commissioner of Health or Public Health Director Deputy Commissioner of Health or Deputy Public Health Director Director of Patient Services Medical Examiner Deputy Medical Examiners Medical Consultant
	DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH Director Deputy Director of Administration Commissioner of Mental Health Deputy Commissioners of Mental Health
	DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS Director Assistant Director
	DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Commissioner of Social Services Deputy Commissioners of Social Services
	DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES Director of Residential Health Care Facilities Deputy Directors
	DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING Director of Employment and Training Deputy Directors
	VETERANS' SERVICE AGENCY Director Deputy Directors
	OFFICE FOR THE AGING Director Deputy Directors
	YOUTH BUREAU Director of the Youth Bureau Deputy Directors
	DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING Director Deputy Directors
	SAFETY DEPARTMENT Safety Officer Deputy Safety Officer
	ULSTER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE President Vice President Dean of Administration Dean of Academic Affairs Dean of Advancement & Continuing Education College Attorney
	COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Commissioner of Human Rights
	BOARD OF ETHICS Members of the Board of Ethics
	PERIODIC COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Members of Periodic Compensation Review Committee
	DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT Coordinator of the Department of Environment Deputy Coordinators
	DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM Director of Tourism Deputy Directors
	TRAFFIC SAFETY Coordinator of Traffic Safety Deputy Coordinator of Traffic Safety
	COUNTY HISTORIAN County Historian
	ULSTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Members of Ulster County Development Corporation and/or Public Authority
	ULSTER COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY Chief Executive Officer or Director of the Agency Members of the Agency
	ULSTER COUNTY RESOURCE RECOVERY AGENCY Chief Executive Officer or Director of the Agency Members of the Agency

Local political party officials. The annual financial disclosure statement shall also be required of local political party officials. The term "local political party official" shall mean:

Any chairperson of a County committee elected pursuant to § 2-112 of the Election Law, or his or her successor in office, who received compensation or expenses from constituted committee or political committee funds during the reporting period aggregating a combined total of $30,000 or more; or

That person by whatever title designated who, pursuant to the rules of a County committee or in actual practice, possesses or performs any or all of the following duties or roles, provided that such person received compensation or expenses from constituted committee or political committee funds during the reporting period aggregating a combined total of $30,000 or more:

[1]

The principal political, executive and administrative office of the County committee;

[2]

The power of general management over the affairs of the County committee;

[3]

The power to exercise the powers of the chairperson of the County committee as provided for in the rules of the County committee;

[4]

The power to preside at all meetings of the County Executive Committee, if such a committee is created by the rules of the County committee or exists de facto, or any other committee or subcommittee of the County committee vested by such rules with or having de facto the power of general management over the affairs of the County committee at times when the County committee is not in actual session;

[5]

The power to call a meeting of the County committee or of any committee or subcommittee vested with the rights, powers, duties or privileges of the County committee pursuant to the rules of the County committee for the purpose of filling an office at a special election in accordance with § 6-114 of the Election Law, for the purpose of filling a vacancy in accordance with § 6-116 of such law, or for the purpose of filling a vacancy or vacancies in the County committee which exist by reason of an increase in the number of election districts with the County occasioned by a change of the boundaries of one or more election districts taking effect after the election of its members or for the purpose of determining the districts that the elected members shall represent until the next election at which such members of such committee are elected; provided, however, that in no event shall such power encompass the power of a chairperson of an assembly district committee or other district committee smaller than a County and created by the rules of the County committee to call a meeting of such district committee for such purpose;

[6]

The power to direct the treasurer of the party to expend funds of the County committee; or

[7]

The power to procure from one or more bank accounts of the County committee the necessary funds to defray the expense of the County committee.

The terms "constituted committee" and "political committee," as used in this section, shall have the same meanings as those contained in § 14-100 of the Election Law.

Each appointing authority or department head shall annually determine, by February 1 of each year, if there are any other officers or employees within his/her department holding policy-making positions. A list of such employees or officers shall then be immediately forwarded to the Chairperson of the Ulster County Legislature for the year 2008 and to the County Executive thereafter.

Time and place for filing. Annual disclosure statements shall be filed with the Clerk of the County Legislature:

Within 60 days of taking office; and

No later than May 1 of each year thereafter.

Changes in disclosed information. Except as provided in § 44-5B herein, within 30 days after a change in the information contained in his/her most recently filed annual disclosure statement, a County officer or employee shall file a signed amendment to the statement.

Contents of annual disclosure statements and waiver request forms. The County Legislature shall have the power and authority to promulgate and amend the form from time to time by resolution and as provided for in and in conformity with § 811 of General Municipal Law.

The annual disclosure form shall be acknowledged and notarized and in substantially the form which is annexed hereto and made a part hereof as Appendix A.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.

Maintenance of annual disclosure statements. The Clerk of the County Legislature shall transmit to the Board of Ethics and the chief executive officer of the County all annual disclosure statements required by this chapter within five business days of receiving such statements. All annual disclosure statements shall be submitted in sealed envelopes.

Good faith efforts. Failure to disclose the information required by Subsection A of this section with respect to a County officer's or employee's spouse or domestic partner or other relative shall not constitute a violation of the subsection if the officer or employee has made a good faith effort to obtain the information and if he/she sets forth those efforts in his/her annual disclosure statement.

Distribution of disclosure form. On or before the first day of March of each year, beginning with the year 2009 and thereafter, the County Executive of the County of Ulster shall cause the annual statement of financial disclosure to be distributed to those persons filling the positions as denominated in Subsections A and B set forth above.

Hardship provision. Any person who is subject to the reporting requirements of this section and who timely filed with the Internal Revenue Service an application for automatic extension of time in which to file his or her individual income tax return for the immediately preceding calendar or fiscal year shall be required to submit such financial disclosure statement on or before May 1 but may, without being subjected to any civil penalty on account of a deficient statement, indicate with respect to any item of the disclosure statement that information with respect thereto is lacking but will be supplied in a supplemental statement of financial disclosure which shall be filed on or before the seventh day after the expiration of the period of such automatic extension of time within which to file such individual income tax return, provided that failure to file or to timely file such supplementary statement of financial disclosure or the filing of an incomplete or deficient supplementary statement of financial disclosure shall be subject to the notice and penalty provisions of this chapter respecting annual statements of financial disclosure as if such supplementary statements were an annual statement.

§ 44-7 Penalties for offenses.

Void contracts. Any contract or agreement entered into by or with the County in which there is an interest prohibited by this chapter shall be null, void, and wholly unenforceable, to the extent provided by § 804 of General Municipal Law, unless ratified by the County Legislature.

Such ratification shall not affect the imposition of any criminal or civil penalties pursuant to this chapter or any other provision of law.

Upon determination by the Board of Ethics that such a violation has occurred, the Board of Ethics shall have the power, upon consultation with the head of the department involved or with the chief executive officer of the County, to render forfeit and void the transaction in question.

Civil penalties. Any County officer or employee who violates any provision of this chapter, including any reporting individual who knowingly and willfully fails to file an annual statement of financial disclosure or who knowingly and willfully with intent to deceive makes a false statement or gives information which such individual knows to be false on such statement of financial disclosure filed pursuant to this chapter, shall be assessed a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000. Assessment of a civil penalty hereunder shall be made by the Ulster County Board of Ethics. Assessment of a civil penalty shall be final unless modified, suspended or vacated within 30 days of imposition and, upon becoming final, shall be subject to review at the instance of the affected reporting individual in a proceeding commenced against the Ulster County Board of Ethics pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.

Criminal penalties. For a violation of this chapter, other than for conduct which constitutes a violation of Subdivision 12 of § 73 of the Public Officers Law, the Ulster County Board of Ethics may, in lieu of a civil penalty, refer a violation to the appropriate prosecutor, and upon such conviction, but only after such referral, such violation shall be punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. A civil penalty for false filing may not be imposed hereunder in the event a category of "value" or "amount" reported hereunder is incorrect unless such reported information is falsely understated.

Disciplinary action. Any County officer or employee who violates any provision of this chapter may be warned or reprimanded or suspended or removed from office or employment or be subject to any other sanction authorized by law or collective bargaining agreement by the appointing authority or body authorized by law to impose such sanctions. A warning, reprimand, suspension, removal or other authorized sanction may be imposed in addition to any other penalty contained in this section or in any other provision of law.

§ 44-8 Board of Ethics. [1]

Establishment.

There shall be a Board of Ethics consisting of five members who, prior to January 1, 2009, shall be appointed by the Ulster County Legislature and thereafter shall be appointed by the County Executive, subject to confirmation of the County Legislature.

Board of Ethics members shall serve without compensation and at the pleasure of the County Legislature prior to January 1, 2009, and thereafter at the pleasure of the County Executive.

No more than two members shall be of the same political party.

Members of the Board of Ethics shall receive no compensation for services rendered but shall be entitled to their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within appropriations made for such purposes.

There shall be support staff and funds as may be appropriated annually toward the Ethics Board's maintenance and operation.

(6)

The County Attorney or Attorney(s) shall provide legal and advisory services to the Board of Ethics as it may require in the performance of its duties. If the County Attorney or Attorney(s) for the County has a potential conflict of interest, the County shall make funds available for outside counsel.

(7)

The Board of Ethics shall elect a Chairperson from among its members. The Chairperson or a majority of the Board may call a meeting of the Board. The Board of Ethics shall meet a minimum of two times a year.

(8)

Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and shall be required for the purpose of conducting a meeting. A concurring vote of three members shall be required for the Board to take action.

(9)

Prior to January 1, 2009, any Board of Ethics member may be removed from office by a majority vote of the County Legislature for failure to fulfill the duties of the office or for the violation of this chapter and shall be given written notice and an opportunity to be heard. After January 1, 2009, members shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive and may be removed from office by the County Executive at his or her discretion.

Qualifications.

All members of the Board of Ethics shall reside in the County of Ulster, be over 25 years of age, and be a registered voter for at least five years prior to appointment.

No more than two members of the Board of Ethics may be enrolled in the same political party. Enrollment in a political party shall be deemed effective in conformance with Article 5 of Election Law of the State of New York.

No member shall hold office in a political party or hold elective office in the County. For purposes of this section, "office in a political party" shall mean all offices in any political party including the office of committee person or committee member.

A member may make campaign contributions but not otherwise participate in any Ulster County election campaign.

One member may be an appointed officer or employee of the County.

Powers and duties.

The Board of Ethics shall render advisory opinions to the officers and employees of the County of Ulster with respect to Article 18 of General Municipal Law, the Code of Ethics of the County of Ulster (as set forth herein and known as the "Ulster County Ethics and Disclosure Law"), and the Administrative Code. Such advisory opinions shall be in response to written request from any such officer or employee under such rules and regulations as the Board may prescribe.

The Board shall render advisory opinions with respect to all matters covered by this chapter. An advisory opinion shall be rendered on the request of a County officer or employee or supervisory official of a County officer or employee and shall apply only to such public servant. The request shall be in such form as the Board may require and shall be signed by the person making the request. The opinion of the Board shall be based on such facts as presented in the request or subsequently submitted in a written, signed document.

Advisory opinions shall be issued only with respect to proposed future action by a public servant. A County officer or employee whose conduct or action is the subject of an advisory opinion shall not be subject to penalties or sanctions by virtue of acting or failing to act due to a reasonable reliance on the opinion, unless material facts were omitted or misstated in the request for an opinion. The Board may amend a previously issued advisory opinion after giving reasonable notice to the County officer or employee that it is reconsidering its opinion, provided that such amended advisory opinion shall apply only to future conduct or action of the public servant.

(c)

The Board shall make public its advisory opinions with such deletions as may be necessary to prevent disclosure of the identity of any County officer or employee or other involved party. The advisory opinions of the Board shall be indexed by subject matter and shall be maintained on an annual and cumulative basis.

(d)

For purposes of this subsection, "County officer or employee" includes a current, prospective and former County officer or employee, and "supervisory official" includes a supervisory official who shall supervise, supervises or has supervised either a current, prospective or former County officer or employee.

[Amended 8-17-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]

The Board may also accept from the general public or any of its own members or any County officer or employee a complaint or allegation of conflict of interest of any officer or employee of Ulster County. The Board may also accept from the general public or any of its own members or any County officer or employee a complaint or allegation of a violation of this chapter by a County officer or employee.

All such complaints shall be signed; and

All such complaints or allegations are to be kept in the confidential records of the Board.

Should the Board determine that there appears to be no merit to the complaint, it shall dismiss the complaint and notify the County officer or employee of its determination in writing.

Hearings.

Should the Board determine that there appears to be merit or probable cause in the complaint or allegation, it shall send a written invitation to the officer or employee in question to appear at a private meeting of the Board and explain the apparent conflict of interest. The written invitation shall be in the form of a notice and shall contain a statement of the facts upon which the Board has relied for its determination of probable cause and a statement of the provisions of law allegedly violated. The Board shall also inform the County officer or employee of the Board's procedural rules. Such County officer or employee shall have a reasonable time to respond either orally or in writing and shall have the right to be represented by counsel or any other person.

If, after consideration of the response of the officer or employee, the Board determines that there remains probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred, the Board shall hold or direct a hearing to be held on the record to determine whether such violation has occurred or refer the matter to the appropriate department or appointing authority if the County officer or employee is subject to the jurisdiction of any state law or collective bargaining agreement which provides for conduct of disciplinary proceedings. When such matter is referred to such department or appointing authority, the department or appointing authority shall consult with the Board before issuing a final decision.

(c)

Should such officer or employee fail to appear in response to such invitation or should he or she appear and fail to satisfy the Board that there is no conflict of interest or violation of this chapter, the Board shall send a written report on the matter to the County Executive and the Clerk of the Legislature. The report shall not be made public except by the County Executive or by the unanimous vote of the Board.

(d)

If the Board determines, after a hearing or the opportunity for a hearing, that a County officer or employee has violated this chapter, it shall, after consultation with the head of the department or appointing authority for the officer or employee, issue an order either imposing such penalties as provided for by this chapter as it deems appropriate or recommending such penalties to the head of the department or appointing authority. The order shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law. When a penalty is recommended, the head of the department or the appointing authority shall report to the Board what action was taken.

(e)

Hearings of the Board shall not be public unless requested by the public servant. The order and the Board's findings and conclusions shall be made public.

(f)

The Board shall maintain an index of all persons found to be in violation of this chapter by name, office and date of order. The index and the determination of probable cause and orders in such cases shall be made available for public inspection and copying.

(g)

Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the appointing officer of a County officer or employee from terminating or otherwise disciplining such public servant, where such appointing officer is otherwise authorized to do so; provided, however, that such action by the appointing officer shall not preclude the Board from exercising its powers and duties under this chapter with respect to actions of any public servant.

(h)

For purposes of this subsection, the term "County officer or employee" shall include both current and former County officers and employees.

(i)

The Board of Ethics shall adopt rules governing the conduct of adjudicatory proceedings and appeals relating to the proceedings authorized herein, including the assessment of the civil penalties herein authorized. Such rules shall provide for the due process procedural mechanisms substantially similar to those set forth in Article Three of the State Administrative Procedure Act, but such mechanisms need not be identical in terms of scope.

(j)

Any person compelled to appear in person or who voluntarily appears before the Board of Ethics shall be accorded the right to be accompanied, represented by, and/or advised by counsel.

In addition, the Board may make recommendations with respect to the County Code of Ethics or amendments thereto upon the request of the Ulster County Legislature (as set forth herein and known as the "Ulster County Ethics and Disclosure Law"). The Board, upon its formulation, shall promulgate its own rules and regulations as to its forms and procedures and shall maintain records of its opinions and proceedings. Copies of all rules and regulations promulgated by the Board and any and all amendments thereto which may be adopted from time to time shall be filed with the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature within 10 days of their adoption.

(6)

The Board shall not act with respect to officers and employees of any municipality located within the County or agency thereof where such municipality has established its own Board of Ethics, except that the local board may, at its option, refer matters to the County Board.

(7)

No meeting or proceeding or hearing of the Board of Ethics concerning a possible violation of this chapter by a County officer or employee shall be open to the public, except upon the request of the officer or employee or as required by the provisions of Article 7 of the Public Officers Law or by some other state or federal law or regulation.

The Board of Ethics shall also have the following powers and duties:

To administer the provisions of this chapter.

To prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations governing its own organization and procedures.

To review, index and maintain all annual disclosure statements filed with the Board of Ethics.

To prepare and submit an annual report to the Ulster County Legislature summarizing the activities of the Board of Ethics, listing any recommended changes to the text or administration of this chapter.