Item D14C oun t y of Monr
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Mayor David Rice, District 4
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Mayor Pro Tern Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
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Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
George Neugent, District 2
Heather Carruthers, District 3
County Commission Meeting
December 13, 2017
Agenda Item Number: D.14
Agenda Item Summary #3698
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: County Attorney's Office
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Pedro Mercado (3035) 292 -3470
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of a resolution authorizing County employees to apply
for and/or accept hurricane disaster relief funds without violating Section 1.05(c) of the Personnel
Policies and Procedures Manual, i.e. the county gift policy.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Hurricane Irma impacted the County as a category 4 hurricane on
September 10, 2017. Like many county residents whose homes were damaged during the storm,
county employees also suffered damage to their residences. Following the storm, many
governmental and non - governmental entities have offered disaster assistance in the form of food,
water, materials, gift cards, financial assistance, and other forms of assistance to county residents
including County employees.
A question has been raised as to whether the County's gift policy, codified as Section 1.05(c) of the
Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual prohibits County employees from accepting such disaster
assistance. The proposed resolution clarifies that acceptance of such assistance does not violate the
gift policy provided that such assistance is not given or accepted with an understanding that it will
result in special treatment of the donor.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: At the November 17, 2017 regularly scheduled
meeting, the Board adopted a resolution that authorized the receipt of disaster relief funds by an
airport trade group for distribution to the County's airport employees without violating the county's
gift policy. This resolution would extend that exception to all County employees.
CONTRACT /AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve
DOCUMENTATION:
Stamped Hurricane Disaster relief funds generic resolution
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: N/A
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
If yes, amount:
REVIEWED BY:
Bob Shillinger
Pedro Mercado
Kathy Peters
Board of County Commissioners
Completed
Completed
Completed
Pending
12/04/2017 1:05 PM
12/04/2017 1:20 PM
12/04/2017 1:53 PM
12/13/2017 9:00 AM
0.14.a
RESOLUTION NO. -2017
A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVING THE RECIEPT
OF HURRICANE DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES BY
MONROE COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND CLARIFYING
THAT ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH RELIEF SHALL NOT
FALL WITHIN THE PROHIBITION ON THE
ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AS SET FORTH IN SECTION
1.05(C) OF THE COUNTY'S PERSONNEL POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES MANUAL.
WHEREAS, in the aftermath that follows a disaster such as a hurricane, many Monroe
County employees like other county residents are severely impacted by the effects of the storm;
and
WHEREAS, following a hurricane, many Government and Non - Government
Organizations provide disaster relief services to include food, water, clothing, cash and gift
cards; and
WHEREAS, when disaster relief services are made available in Monroe County, all
citizens of the County including County Employees are eligible to receive the services; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County employees are prohibited from receiving "gifts" pursuant
to Section 1.05(c) of the Monroe County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual (hereinafter
"the gift rule "); and
WHEREAS, the County's gift rule currently reads in pertinent part:
Employees shall not accept any gift, favor or service from any member of the
public, including but not limited to Christmas andlor birthday gifts in an amount
that exceeds an estimated value of $25.00. Employees shall not accept any gift,
favor or service with the understanding that it was provided to him1her in order to
obtain special treatment.
WHEREAS, the purpose of the gift rule is to prevent undue influence on Monroe County
employees; and
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0.14.a
WHEREAS, disaster relief services including food, water, clothing, cash and gift cards
are provided to affected individuals for the sole purpose of aiding an individual's recovery from
such a hurricane or other disaster; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC desires to dispel any concern that the receipt of the disaster
relief services may violate the County's gift rule;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1 . The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein as findings by the Board.
Section 2 . The Board finds that the receipt of disaster relief services by County Employees
following a hurricane or other disaster is not a gift and does not violate Section 1.05(c) of the
Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual if said relief is not given or accepted with the
understanding that it was provided to the employee in order to obtain special treatment.
Section 3 . Monroe County employees may apply for and/or accept hurricane and other
disaster relief funds offered for the express purpose of recovery from such a disaster.
Section 4 . This resolution shall take effect upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
this 13"' day of December 2017.
Mayor David Rice
Mayor Pro Tern Sylvia Murphy
Commissioner Danny Kolhage
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Heather Carruthers
(SEAL)
ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK
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Deputy Clerk
ASSISTANT
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY
Mayor David Rice
ATTG NLY
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