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Commissioners approve food/beverage as permitted compensation for staff picnic, three commissioners recuse on individual votes
Summary
Following an ethics opinion, the board approved a countywide food-and-beverage authorization for staff/volunteers and then separately approved food/beverage for each of three commissioners (each announced a conflict and recused themselves from the related vote).
County counsel presented an opinion concluding that food and beverages provided by the county could be considered part of official compensation unless the board structures approvals to avoid conflicts of interest.
To address the issue in advance of a planned summer picnic, staff proposed a set of four motions: one catch-all motion approving food and beverage for employees, volunteers and elected officials other than the three commissioners; and three separate motions allowing food and beverage for each of the three commissioners and their family members with the affected commissioner announcing a conflict and recusing for that vote.
Commissioner Kelly Jo Smith, Commissioner Casey Garrett and Commissioner Margaret McGruder each announced conflicts and were recused from their respective votes. Each of the four motions was made, seconded and carried with recorded 'ayes.' County counsel said the same structure will be reflected in a written policy and resolution when the board crafts the countywide policy addressing food, beverages and small de minimis items.
The votes create an administrative record that the board considered conflicts and took separate recorded actions for each affected commissioner. The board did not change compensation levels for elected officials at this meeting; the motions were limited to authorizing food and beverage provision for a specific county event and to comply with the ethics opinion.
