LAKEPORT – The Board of Supervisors' adoption of a code of ethics follows a similar action taken earlier this year by the county's department heads.
That policy, however, wasn't unanimously adopted, and caused concern for some local officials.
County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox said the department heads decided to come up with a policy on their own.
He said he drew on an ethics code written by the International City/County Management Association, arriving at an 11-point policy for the county's department heads.
The main difference between the two documents is that the ICCMA policy has 12 points and many of the points are in different order, with Cox moving to the top of the local policy that the chief function of county government is to serve the best interests of the people.
The county code, which is nonbinding, also specifically outlines the department heads' responsibility to provide the board with facts and advice in making decisions and upholding county policy.
One of the points directly taken from the ICCMA code was an admonition for department heads to refrain from active participation in a Board of Supervisors election.
That last point was a troubling one for Sheriff Rod Mitchell.
“I agreed to practically everything,” said Mitchell, but being prevented from endorsing a supervisorial candidate was “a significant issue.”
Mitchell said he so far has not actively endorsed a supervisor candidate, even Brown, who he said is a friend.
Still, he might decide to do so in the future. “That's an important right that I would want to be able to maintain without violating a code of ethics,” he said.
Mitchell said he and District Attorney Jon Hopkins shared the same concerns about the code. He added that prosecutors and law enforcement already are bound by specific codes of ethics.
Like Mitchell, Hopkins said he approved of the concept.
“I was very much in favor of the idea of a code of ethics for Lake County department heads, and a number of my suggestions and those of others were implemented in the final version, which turned out to be very well done, except for one section,” he said, although he didn't specify if he was referring to the election clause.
He continued, “That section seemed to be on a collision course with the functions of those of us in the criminal justice sector and I did not think that the fair comment and free speech of the elected DA and sheriff should be restricted in light of our obligations to speak up and pursue public safety for our community.”
Both Mitchell and Hopkins decided not to sign the code because of that they felt were First Amendment-related concerns.
The board's version of the code of ethics did not include a prohibition against becoming involved in elections.
Of the 24 department heads, 18 are appointed by the board and six are elected – Assessor-Recorder Doug Wacker, Auditor/County Clerk Pam Cochrane, Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley, Treasurer-Tax Collector Sandra Kacharos, Hopkins and Mitchell.
The department heads ethics policy is reprinted below.
County of Lake Department Head Code of Ethics
Lake County Mission Statement: “The County of Lake provides proactive public policy, superior public service, courteous public contact, responsible exercise of authority and sound management of resources to enhance the quality of life for our citizens, now and in the future.”
In order to further the objectives of the County’s mission statement and to maintain the highest level of ethics within County government, Lake County Department Heads attest to the following:
1. We recognize the chief function of County government at all times is to serve the best interests of the people.
2. We will seek no favor. We believe that activities undertaken to enhance personal power or profit secured by confidential information obtained during the course of our employment, or by misuse of public time, is inappropriate and dishonest.
3. We affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by County government and maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude toward County government affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as trusted public servants.
4. We will handle all personnel matters on the basis of merit so that fairness and impartiality govern decisions pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline.
5. We are dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in public and personal relationships in order to merit the respect and confidence of the public, the Board of Supervisors, other department heads and employees.
6. We will provide the Board of Supervisors with facts and advice on matters of policy as a basis for making decisions and setting community goals, and uphold and implement County government policies adopted by the Board.
7. We recognize that the members of Board of Supervisors, as elected representatives of the people, are responsible for, and entitled to the credit for, establishment of County policies. The responsibility for policy execution rests with department heads.
8. We will refrain from all conduct which undermines public confidence in professional department heads. We will refrain from conduct by which we inappropriately make use of our official positions for private or political advantage. We will refrain from active participation in the election of any member of the Board of Supervisors.
9. We will strive to keep the community informed on the business and activities of County government, except when expressly prohibited by law from doing so. We will encourage communication between the citizens and all County government officers, emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public, and seek to improve the quality and image of public service.
10. We will uphold and comply with all federal, state and local laws.
11. We will practice a superior work ethic and will serve as positive role models for all County employees.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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