Document Code No.: PER 9-1-1 (AEO)
Department/Issuing Agency: County Executive Office
Effective Date: April 29, 2009
Approved: /s/ Ron Sims
Type of Action: Rescinds PER 9-1 (AEO)

Signed document (PDF, 117 KB)

This order limits the circumstances under which former county elected officials or retired county employees can be rehired into county positions or retained on county consultant contracts.

WHEREAS, the hiring of former elected county officials into county positions other than through an open competitive process, or the retention of a former elected county official on county consultant contracts may create at least the appearance of a conflict of interest and/or the granting of special consideration;

WHEREAS, the retention of retired county employees on county consultant contracts may create at least the appearance of the granting of special consideration;

WHEREAS, Executive Order PER 9-1, which was signed in 1994 by King County Executive Gary Locke, set forth certain restrictions on former county elected officials;

WHEREAS, Executive Order PER 9-1 is hereby rescinded and replaced with this Order in so as to update the restrictions on former county elected officials and make the terms of this policy consistent with existing county code; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order PER 9-1 is additionally rescinded and replaced with this Order so as to clarify that the original intent of PER 9-1 was to apply the restrictions on county employment only to persons elected to a county office and not to those county employees appointed to fill a vacant elective office who do not seek election to that office.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron Sims, King County Executive, officially order that for a period of one year after leaving county elective office, former county elected officials shall not be hired into any county executive branch position except through an open, competitive, merit-based selection process, unless written authorization is granted by the Executive and approved by the County Council. This restriction does not apply to county employees who are appointed by the County Council to fill a vacant elective office until the next applicable election date if such employee does not seek election to that elective office at the next such election.

FURTHER, I order that for a period of one year after leaving county elective office, former county elected officials shall not be retained on county consultant contracts, unless written authorization is granted by the Executive and approved by the County Council.

FURTHER, I order that for a period of one year, former county employees who have retired from county service under a state retirement system and are receiving or are entitled to receive pension benefits under such retirement system shall not be retained on any county consultant contracts, unless authorized in writing by the County Executive based upon a demonstrated special county need, with notice of any such authorization forwarded to the County Council.

FURTHER, I order that this Order supersedes Order PER 9-1, which is hereby rescinded.

/s/ Ron Sims, King County Executive

ATTEST:

/s/ Carolyn Ableman, Director
Records and Licensing Services Division