The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics took the following
action at its
monthly public meeting held on April 4, 2024.
Commissioner
Michael H. Kugler was sworn in by Judge Reid Scott for a four year
term. Mr. Kugler was appointed by the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar
Association, the Hispanic Bar Association of Palm Beach County, and the
Palm Beach County Bar Association.
The
Commission approved a joint letter to Governor Ron
DeSantis
regarding CS/SB 7014.
The
Commission approved two advisory opinions. The full opinions are available at Advisory Opinion Search
(palmbeachcountyethics.com).
RQO
24-003: A member of the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission (ZC)
asked if the Palm Beach County Code of Ethics (Code) prohibited her
from participating in discussions and voting on an agenda item that involves
a property located directly adjacent to her home address.
The COE opined as follows: The Code generally restricts any actions
that
would result in a prohibited special financial benefit. Based on the size of
the class affected by this project, the Code would prohibit the ZC member
from participating in discussions or voting on this project.
RQO
24-004: A municipal employee asked if the Code would prohibit her niece
from volunteering at the Public Library where she serves as director.
The
COE opined as follows: The Code does not prohibit the niece’s
volunteer
work at the library where the employee serves as the director. This
is because the niece will be an unpaid volunteer who will not exercise any
discretionary authority and will therefore not be covered by any of the prohibitions
outlined in the Anti-nepotism section of the Code.
A detailed explanation of all agenda items is available at
http://www.palmbeachcountyethics.com/meetings.htm.
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