Non Profit Solicitation

ISSUE: POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVOLVING AN EMPLOYEE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS WHO SOLICITS FUNDS FOR CAMP A NON PROFIT AGENCY?

Opinion: The Code of Ethics clearly encourages civic activity by King County Employees. On the basis of the facts given, the Board finds no conflict of interest in your solicitation of funds for the not-for-profit organization - Camp fire. Additionally, the board finds no significant financial interest in your indirect benefit of successful solicitations. The Board notes however that such solicitations should:

1. take place on an individuals' personal time, not on county time;

2. That individuals should not identify themselves as King County employees.

The Board further notes that depending on the facts of the case and the degree of individual discretion a county official possesses, such involvement could pose a potential conflict of interest. This could occur if past solicitation efforts might affect your independent professional judgment when a person you have solicited comes before you for review. In this case, it would be necessary to report the potential conflict of interest to your immediate supervisor and take appropriate action.

Statement of Circumstances: An individual who works as an assessments auditor in the King County Assessor's office has inquired as to whether his solicitation of funds for a not-for-profit organization from individuals in businesses who might appear before him in his official capacity, constitutes a conflict of interest.

He is especially concerned because his successful solicitation of funds gives him an economic benefit because it reduces his own outlay for his child's activities which are sponsored by the not-for-profit organization.

Analysis:

AUTHORITY RELIED UPON

3.04.030 Conflict of interest. No county employee shall engage in any act which is in conflict with the performance of official duties. A county employee directly or indirectly:

I. Engages in or accepts compensation, employment or renders services for any person or a governmental entity other than King County when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of official duties or would impair independence of judgment or action in the performance of official duties.

3.04.037 Duty to notify supervisor. Any employee who becomes aware that he or she may have a potential conflict of interest which arises in the course of his or her official duties shall notify in writing his or her supervisor or appointing authority of such potential conflict. (Ord. 9704 s 8, 1990).

ISSUED ON THE _____________ day of _____________, 1991

Signed for the Board: Dr. J. Patrick Dobel, Chair

Members:

Timothy Edwards, Esq. Dr. Judith Woods Dr. J. Patrick Dobel, Chair

JPD:dwm

cc:

Tim Hill, King County Executive
King County Councilmembers
Bob Stier, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Rella Foley, Ombudsman, Office of Citizen Complaints
Ruth Ridder, King County Assessor
Ken Morse, Manager, Personal Property Division, King County Assessor's Office
Mari Slabaugh, Manager, Support Section, King County Assessor's Office