CEO 76-86 -- May 17, 1976

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

BANKS DOING BUSINESS WITH CITY ALSO ACTING AS COLLECTION AGENTS FOR THE CITY

To: (Name withheld at the person's request.)

Prepared by: Gene Rhodes

SUMMARY:

There is no provision in the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees which would prohibit a municipality from arranging for banks with which the city does business to serve as collection agents for water bill payments.

QUESTION:

Would a prohibited conflict of interest be created were a city to have water bill payments collected by local banks with whom the city is doing business?

This question is answered in the negative.

Your letter of inquiry advises us that several members of the city council are considering the feasibility of requesting local banks with whom the city is currently doing business to collect water bill payments due to the city. At this time it is not clear whether the banks will charge the city for this service. There is no provision in the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees that would prohibit the situation you describe. Your question is answered accordingly in the negative.