Board approves Dudley Ridge Water District conflict-of-interest code amendment

Kings County supervisors on Aug. 12 approved an amendment to the Dudley Ridge Water Districtconflict-of-interest code, acting in the board's role as the code-reviewing body under the California Political Reform Act.

County counsel explained the legal requirement that state and local government agencies adopt conflict-of-interest codes under the Political Reform Act and described the statute's disqualification standard: public officials must be disqualified if a decision is reasonably foreseeable to have a financial effect on their personal finances or financial interests. Counsel cited Government Code section 87303 as governing the county's review role for local districts.

A member of the public, Red Fidiosi, who identified himself as a Valley Voices representative from Hanford, asked whether board members who are farm owners with water interests would recuse themselves from the vote to avoid conflicts. Counsel and the board said the amendment pertains to the water district's officials and not the county supervisors. Board members then moved to approve the district's amended code; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote in favor.

The board's approval recognizes the district's authority to identify which of its officials must file annual financial disclosures and the categories of disclosure required. The amendment will become effective after the county completes its standard administrative steps and sends the approved code to the district.