SUBJECT
Title
APPROVAL OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODES FOR DCAO - PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP, GOMPERS PREPARATORY ACADEMY, GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, RAMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT & SAN YSIDRO SCHOOL DISTRICT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The Board of Supervisors serves as the Code Reviewing Body for any local agency, other than city agencies, with jurisdiction wholly within the County, per Government Code Section 82011. The recommended action would approve the proposed amendments to the Conflict of Interest codes of DCAO - Public Safety Group, Gompers Preparatory Academy, Grossmont Union High School District, Ramona Unified School District and San Ysidro School District.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Approve the Conflict of Interest codes of the following agencies:
1. DCAO - Public Safety Group
2. Gompers Preparatory Academy
3. Grossmont Union High School District
4. Ramona Unified School District
5. San Ysidro School District
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
County government includes standing and special citizen boards, commissions, committees and task forces formed to advise the Board of Supervisors and County staff on issues and policies and to serve as links to the community. Boards, commissions and committees provide an inter-relationship between the residents and the government of the County and as such must provide transparent bias-free decision- making. The Board of Supervisors serves as the Code Reviewing Body for any local agency, other than city agencies, with jurisdiction wholly within the County, pursuant to Government Code Section 82011. Under the California Political Reform Act, a public official has a disqualifying conflict of interest in a governmental decision if it is foreseeable that the decision will have a financial impact on their personal finances or other financial interests. In such cases, there is a risk of biased decision-making that could sacrifice the public’s interest in favor of the official’s private financial interests. To avoid actual bias or the appearance of possible improprieties, the public official is prohibited from participating in the decision.
The recommended action would approve the amended Conflict of Interest codes submitted by DCAO - Public Safety Group, Gompers Preparatory Academy, Grossmont Union High School District, Ramona Unified School District and San Ysidro School District. The Conflict of Interest code in this Board Letter enables the County of San Diego to provide transparency and accountability to individual residents, ensuring equitable operations of the government that are free from undue influence.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Under the Political Reform Act, all public agencies are required to adopt a Conflict of Interest code that designates positions that are required to file the Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). Conflict of Interest codes must be maintained as updated and accurate to ensure that necessary public officials report their personal financial interests. These required filings provide public transparency about possible conflicts of interest and to ensure governmental decisions are made in the best interest of the public. This board letter supports the County of San Diego’s sustainability goal of, “Engaging the community to partner and participate in decisions that impact their lives and communities and transparently share results of outcomes.”
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding source for administration of this task is included in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Adopted Budget for the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Under the Political Reform Act, all public agencies are required to adopt a Conflict of Interest code. The code designates positions required to file Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700s, and assigns disclosure categories specifying the types of interests to be reported. The Form 700 is a public document intended to alert public officials and members of the public to the types of financial interest that may create conflict of interest.
The Board of Supervisors serves as the Code Reviewing Body for any local agency, other than city agencies, with jurisdiction wholly within the County, per Government Code Section 82011. The recommended action would approve the Conflict of Interest codes of DCAO - Public Safety Group, Gompers Preparatory Academy, Grossmont Union High School District, Ramona Unified School District and San Ysidro School District. These agencies notified the Clerk of the Board of their adopted Conflict of Interest code.
The aforementioned agencies are submitting their Conflict of Interest code for approval by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
The Conflict of Interest codes are included as Attachment A. Informational documents reflecting agency approval are included as Attachment B.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
The approval of Conflict of Interest Codes fulfills the Strategic Initiative of Operational Excellence in the County of San Diego Strategic Plan 2018-2023 for promoting a culture of ethical leadership and decision making across the enterprise.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Interim Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: Conflict of Interest codes for DCAO - Public Safety Group, Gompers Preparatory Academy, Grossmont Union High School District, Ramona Unified School District and San Ysidro School District
Attachment B: Informational copies showing agency approval of the Conflict of Interest codes for DCAO - Public Safety Group, Gompers Preparatory Academy, Grossmont Union High School District, Ramona Unified School District and San Ysidro School District