Advisory Opinion 1088
Stadium Administration/Use of County Property

ISSUE: WHETHER COUNTY FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PAY FOR EMPLOYEE MEMBERSHIPS IN SOCIAL ASSOCIATIONS OR ORGANIZATIONS?

Opinion: The Board of Ethics finds that County funds may not be used to pay for memberships in social organizations, particularly when there is no clear and obvious connection between one's official duties and responsibilities as a County employee and the activities of the social organization.

Statement of Circumstances: The Board of Ethics has been asked to consider whether departmental funds may be used to pay for memberships in social organizations.

Analysis: Section 3.04.020(A) of the Code of Ethics provides that:

No county employee shall request or permit the use of county-owned vehicles, equipment, materials, or property or the expenditure of county funds for personal convenience or profit. Use or expenditure is to be restricted to such services as are available to the public generally or for such employee in the conduct of official business.

In reviewing this section of the Code, the Board of Ethics sees no problem per se with the practice of public government paying for memberships in organizations when those memberships are essential to the conduct of official business. However, in considering this particular request, the Board does not see a clear connection between the employee's official responsibilities and the activities of the social organization in which he seeks membership. The expenditure of County funds under these circumstances could therefore be perceived as an expenditure for unofficial and primarily individual interests, rather than for official and public interests.

References: King County Code of Ethics, section 3.04.020(A).

ISSUED THIS ___________ DAY OF ___________________, 199__.

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

Members:

Dr. J. Patrick Dobel, Chair
Timothy Edwards, Esq.
Rev. Paul Pruitt

JPD/mag

cc:

Gary Locke, King County Executive
Metropolitan King County Councilmembers
Susan Baugh, Director-Ombudsman, Office of Citizen Complaints
Jesus Sanchez, Director, Stadium Administration
Robert I. Stier, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Counsel to the Board of Ethics
All County Department Directors and Division Managers