CEO 84-90 -- August 30, 1984

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR'S SPOUSE EMPLOYED BY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

To: Ms. Sunny Joan Barzelogna, Candidate for Flagler County Tax Collector

SUMMARY:

No prohibited conflict of interest would be created were a county tax collector's spouse to be employed by the board of county commissioners. CEO's 84-83 and 83-72 are referenced.

QUESTION:

Would a prohibited conflict of interest be created were you to serve as a County Tax Collector while your spouse is employed by the Board of County Commissioners as Civil Defense Director and Veterans Service Officer?

Your question is answered in the negative.

In your letter of inquiry you advise that you are a candidate for election to the office of Flagler County Tax Collector. You also advise that your husband is employed by the Board of County Commissioners as Civil Defense Director and Veterans Service Officer for the County.

In a previous opinion, CEO 84-83, we advised that the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees would not prohibit a county employee's spouse from serving as a member of the board of county commissioners. Also, in CEO 83-72, we advised that the Code of Ethics would not prohibit the spouse of a city firefighter from serving on the city commission.

Accordingly, based on these opinions we find that no prohibited conflict of interest would be created were you to serve as County Tax Collector while your husband is employed by the Board of County Commissioners.