Your PUD
News Release
PUD commissioners add code of ethics to working principles
Chelan County PUD
News Release
6/29/2009
Saying they want to be clear how board business is conducted, Chelan County PUD commissioners Monday afternoon added a new code of ethics section to their formal governance policies.
The new section titled “Ethical Standards” says the board is committed to conducting business “with high ethical standards and in accordance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.”
While recognizing that no written policy can speak to every specific situation, the new ethics policy says board members shall comply with the state RCW “Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers – Contract Interests” and other state laws regarding applicable ethical standards. The new policy says board members will abide by other state law that prohibits using District facilities for campaigning for office or for ballot propositions. It also says board members will avoid conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest.
In a separate step, all five commissioners signed a group agreement that reads, in part, “We agree to treat each other with an attitude of respect, straightforwardness, honesty, fairness and humor … in a culture of trust and humility … knowing that we will strive to do our best.”
Board members have had a set of Governance Policies since adoption May 2, 2005, that have been amended occasionally since then. In strategic planning meetings the past few months, commissioners have discussed how to improve their governance policies. Commission President Ann Congdon said board members intend to review the document every year to see how it might be improved.
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The next regular commission meeting is at 1 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2009, in the PUD boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave. The July 6 meeting has been canceled.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Steve Lachowicz
Communications director
509-661-4639, direct line
509-679-0148, cell
steve.lachowicz@chelanpud.org