CEO 77-113 -- July 21, 1977

COUNTY ENGINEER

APPLICABILITY OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE LAW

To: George Solana, Marion County Engineer, Ocala

Prepared by: Bonnie Johnson

SUMMARY:

The Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees requires that each "local officer" annually file a statement of financial interests. Section 112.3145(2)(b), F. S. 1975. As the term "local officer" is defined to include a "city or county administrator with power to grant or deny a land development permit," a county engineer who is empowered to approve or deny such permit applications constitutes a local officer subject to the financial disclosure requirements contained in s. 112.3145(3), F. S.

QUESTION:

Am I, as a county engineer with power to approve or deny land development permit applications, a "local officer" subject to the annual filing of financial disclosure?

Your question is answered in the affirmative.

The Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees requires that each "local officer" annually file a statement of financial interests. Section 112.3145(2)(b), F. S. 1975. Section 112.3145(1)(a)3. defines the term "local officer" to include a "city or county administrator with power to grant or deny a land development permit."

You advise in your letter of inquiry that your duties as county engineer include administering the provisions of several local ordinances dealing with utilities, land development, subdivision control, and similar undertakings and, in this connection, you are empowered to approve or deny submittals for permits in these areas on the basis of their compliance with law. Based on this authority, we find that you constitute a local officer subject to the annual filing of financial disclosure.