Moffat County adopts uniform code of conduct for volunteer boards

The Moffat County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to adopt a single, countywide code of conduct, conflict-of-interest and ex parte contact policy for volunteer boards, councils and commissions.

County Attorney Gary Roden told commissioners the policy is intended to create a uniform set of expectations for members of the many citizen boards and advisory groups the county appoints. Roden said the documents explain what members "are expected to do" and how to handle potential conflicts, and would be distributed to department heads for dissemination to boards starting Jan. 1.

Roden emphasized that, particularly in small communities, personal relationships do not by themselves create a legal conflict: "Just because you know someone from school or church or work doesn't mean it is a legal conflict," he said, noting that a financial or proprietary interest must be present to create a disqualifying conflict.

A commissioner moved to approve Resolution 2024-126, and the motion passed on a voice vote. The board agreed the county attorney’s office will distribute the policy to department heads and ask boards to review bylaws annually and provide copies to the county attorney if changes are made.

Commissioners did not record a roll-call vote naming individual commissioners during the motion. No public testimony was recorded during that item.