Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Private Employment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trainer reminds officials they may hold private jobs but face limits on working under contracts they helped authorize
Summary
Esparza told officials they can have private employment but must not use their position to create opportunities; notably, officials who played a significant role in approving a contract are limited from working under that contract for two years.
Esparza said holding private employment or owning a business is permissible for public officials, but warned against using public office, confidential information, or coworkers to create private opportunities. He explained that if an official "played a significant role" in authorizing a contract—selecting a contractor, executing a contract, writing or recommending approval, serving on a selection committee, or signing the contract—then that official is limited for two years from working under that contract.
He advised officials to maintain clear separation between public duties and private work (no use of government time or resources for private business) and to consult the commission when future employment or potential conflicts arise. The trainer encouraged reaching out early so the commission can provide safe-harbor advice for current items rather than retroactive fixes.
