CEO 84-73 -- August 9, 1984

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

CITY PURCHASING OFFICER SERVING ON COUNTY COMMISSION

To: Mr. Albert C. Ray, Purchasing Officer, City of Port St. Joe

SUMMARY:

No prohibited conflict of interest would be created were a purchasing officer employed by a city to be elected to serve on a county commission. CEO's 76-59, 76-83, and 76-203 are referenced.

QUESTION:

Would a prohibited conflict of interest be created were you to be elected to serve on a county commission while remaining employed as a purchasing officer for a city within the county?

Your question is answered in the negative.

In your letter of inquiry and in a telephone conversation with our staff, you have advised that you are employed as a Purchasing Officer for the City of Port St. Joe. In that position you are responsible for obtaining prices and issuing purchase orders for materials requisitioned by City supervisors. You advised that you have no dealings with the County. You question whether you may be elected to serve as a member of the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners.

In a previous opinion, CEO 76-203, we found that the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees would not prohibit a city commissioner from being employed as a buyer with the county within which the city was located. Similarly, we have found that a school board member may be employed as county building inspector (CEO 76-59), and that a school district employee may serve on the county commission (CEO 76-83).

Accordingly, for the reasons expressed in these opinions, we find that the Code of Ethics would not prohibit you from remaining employed as City Purchasing Officer if you are elected to serve on the Board of County Commissioners.