CEO 80-37 -- May 21, 1980

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

CITY COUNCILMAN SERVING AS ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR FOR CITY

To: T. E. Romine, Hialeah Gardens Electrical Inspector, Hialeah Gardens

Prepared by: Phil Claypool

SUMMARY:

Reference is made to CEO 77-23. A prohibited conflict of interest under the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees would be created were a city councilman also to serve as electrical inspector for the city.

QUESTION:

Would a prohibited conflict of interest exist were a city councilman also to serve as electrical inspector for the city?

Your question is answered in the affirmative.

In your letter of inquiry you advise that presently you are the electrical inspector for the City of Hialeah Gardens. You question whether you may remain in this position if you are elected to serve as city councilman.

I refer you to a previous advisory opinion, CEO 77-23, in which we found that the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees would prohibit a city councilman from serving also as an assistant electrical inspector of the city. Since your situation would be the same as that presented in CEO 77-23, we find that a prohibited conflict of interest would be created were you to serve as city councilman while also serving as electrical inspector for the City of Hialeah Gardens.