Local Voices
Lake County Board Chairman Announces Plan Establishing Standards of Conduct for Commission and Board Appointees
Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor announced a plan today that would require the nearly 300 appointees that serve on various boards and commissions to adhere to Standards of Conduct. The plan will be voted on by the county board at its Sept. 10 meeting.
As chairman, Lawlor is responsible for making appointments to more than 70 local appointed units of government-everything from sanitary, drainage and fire districts, to the transportation service boards, affordable housing commission, board of health, and board of review.
The Standards fall into five key areas:
Under the plan, the government boards will be required to sign a certificate acknowledging they agree to follow the Standards of Conduct. Some examples of requirements include: requiring boards to follow fiscally conservative budgeting by adhering to best practices set through the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and other professional groups, operating in a transparent manner by posting information to its website and being responsive to citizens, as well as striving to decrease costs and increase efficiency. Chairman Lawlor will request the resignations of appointees who are unwilling to sign onto the Standards of Conduct.Signing the certificate of acknowledgement is required in order to serve on a board or commission.
"I believe the public not only expects this, but demands it. This plan aims to protect the public's interests and ensure that we continue to be good stewards of their trust, and their money," said Lawlor.
The plan also requires appointees to follow the county board's ethics policy, which is required by a new state law.
"The important work of our boards and commissions would not get done without these conscientious citizens. We commend them for dedicating countless hours of their personal time for the betterment of their community and to improve the quality of life for residents. We sincerely thank our appointees for their service," Lawlor said.
The chairman's proposal will be discussed and voted on by the county board at its regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10.
View Proposed Standard of Conduct for Appointed Boards and Commissions.
The Standards fall into five key areas:
- Accountability
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Transparency
- Efficiency
- Ethics
Under the plan, the government boards will be required to sign a certificate acknowledging they agree to follow the Standards of Conduct. Some examples of requirements include: requiring boards to follow fiscally conservative budgeting by adhering to best practices set through the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and other professional groups, operating in a transparent manner by posting information to its website and being responsive to citizens, as well as striving to decrease costs and increase efficiency. Chairman Lawlor will request the resignations of appointees who are unwilling to sign onto the Standards of Conduct.Signing the certificate of acknowledgement is required in order to serve on a board or commission.
"I believe the public not only expects this, but demands it. This plan aims to protect the public's interests and ensure that we continue to be good stewards of their trust, and their money," said Lawlor.
The plan also requires appointees to follow the county board's ethics policy, which is required by a new state law.
"The important work of our boards and commissions would not get done without these conscientious citizens. We commend them for dedicating countless hours of their personal time for the betterment of their community and to improve the quality of life for residents. We sincerely thank our appointees for their service," Lawlor said.
The chairman's proposal will be discussed and voted on by the county board at its regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10.
View Proposed Standard of Conduct for Appointed Boards and Commissions.
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