CHEROKEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CODE OF  ETHICS RESOLUTION  WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 160A-86 requires the adoption of a resolution or policy containing a code of ethics to guide the actions of governing board members in the performance of their official duties as members of the governing board.  BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners does hereby adopt the following code of ethics to be observed by all members taking the oath of office as Commissioners: 1. Faithful Execution of Duties: Members of the Board shall faithfully execute the duties of their office and shall  faithfully attend meetings of the Board.  2. Observance of Law: Members of the Board shall observe all federal, state, and local laws to the best of their knowledge and ability in the execution of their duties as Board members and shall honor the spirit as well as the letter of the law. Members shall consult with legal counsel if matters of law or ethics 3. Integrity and Independence of the Board: Board members shall make decisions that are based on the public good and not on their 4. Prohibition of Emoluments: The Board shall observe and adhere to Article 1, Section 32 of the North Carolina Constitution which states: "No person or set of persons is entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the community but in 5. Avoidance of Impropriety: Board members shall avoid impropriety in the exercise of their official duties. Board members are to act as "especially responsible citizens", who are to honor the public trust as they carry out their duties. Their official actions should be above reproach. Board members and employees shall be honest, fair, and caring, and shall honor the 6. Transparency: Board members shall conduct the business of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners in accordance with open  shall come into question.  desires or considerations of special interests.  consideration of public services."  public trust.  meetings and public records laws.    7. Conflicts of interest: Members shall in every way avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest. Board members shall not knowingly use or solicit their public position to receive personal financial gain. Members shall not engage in any action that will result in financial benefit to the member's extended family, or business with which the member is associated. Members shall recuse themselves from voting, deliberations or discussion of any matter in which a 8. Confidential Information: Members shall not use or disclose nonpublic information gained in the course of, or by reason of, the member's official responsibilities in a way that would affect a personal financial interest of the member, a member of the member's extended family, or a person or governmental unit with whom, or business with which, the member is associated. A member shall not improperly use or improperly disclose any confidential  conflict is identified.  information.  9. Conduct: In any situation, Members of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners shall conduct themselves in a respectful and dignified manner towards members of the public and to each other. Members shall refrain from personal attacks and defamatory remarks in the conduct of the business of the Board of Commissioners. Members shall refrain from speech or conduct unbecoming to the County and speech or conduct that would bring the County or its employees into disrepute. Courtesy and mutual respect shall be observed in all matters of the Board. 10. Training & Education: Members shall faithfully attend such ethics training as may be required by NCGS 160A-87. Members shall educate themselves as to matters and issues pertinent to 11. Social Media: Members who elect to use social media in their capacity as Commissioners shall either refrain from receiving comments on their posts or disclosed content, or, if allowing comments, shall not delete comments nor block anyone from access 12. Reporting Requirements: Members shall be mindful of NCGS 14- 234.3 and shall refrain from participating in or administering  their service on the Board.  to the social media account or page.    any contracts between a non-profit organization and Cherokee County if the member is a director, officer or governing board member of said non-profit organization. At the Organizational Meeting of the Board of Commissioners on the first Monday of each December, members shall disclose to the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners any non-profit organizations in which the member serves as a director, officer or governing board member or in any way receives a direct financial benefit therefrom.  Effective on and adopted on this the 19th day of August 2024.  R4plly Randy Phillips, CMairman  r CORPORATE E SEAL OF  1 : AE  ATTEST:  mau Sx Maria Halss, Clerk to the Board