Advisory Opinion 94-4-1089
Board of Ethics/Use of County Property

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

Opinion: The Board of Ethics finds that County funds may be used to pay for professional memberships when such memberships are directly related to the performance of official duties or if they can enhance that performance. Memberships which meet these criteria should, when possible, be made in the County's name.

Statement of Circumstances: In deciding whether County funds could be used to pay for memberships in social organizations, Advisory Opinion 1088, the Board of Ethics considered that there may be County departments and divisions which could derive a direct benefit from membership in professional associations or organizations. Based on this assumption, the Board has decided to issue an opinion which establishes criteria by which County funds may be used to pay for such memberships.

Analysis: In previous advisory opinions relating to the use of County property, the Board has decided that the clear intent of Section 3.04.020(A) of the Code of Ethics was to prevent any use of County funds, facilities, or equipment when such use appeared to be for personal convenience or profit. This section of the Code 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.

The Board sees no problem with the practice of public government paying for memberships in professional organizations when those memberships clearly contribute to an employee's ability to perform his or her official responsibilities. When public funds are used to pay for memberships, such memberships should meet the following criteria:

• The membership should be directly related to job requirements, e.g., professional certifications or licenses; or,
• The membership should significantly enhance performance of the job by providing the exchange of information, professional training, or educational opportunities. In addition,
• the membership should not be in organizations that endorse political candidates.

Where practicable, memberships should be in the name of the County department or division and not in the name of a specific employee.

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 Council Members
Susan Baugh, Director-Ombudsman, Office of Citizen Complaints
Robert I. Stier, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Counsel to the Board of Ethics
Department Directors and Division Managers