County approves ethics policy – One-year contract also OK?d with WastAway
The County Commission passed an ethics policy Monday night with a vote of 22-1, with one member absent, thus giving the county ample time to present the policy to the state for its approval.
Earlier this year, the state mandated an ethics policy had to be in place by June 30, approved by the state, and be in effect by July 1.
The county opted to adapt the ethics policy drafted by the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) as a guideline with one change. Rather than appoint a separate Ethics Committee, the county would appoint the Policy and Personnel Committee to be in charge of reviewing and acting on any ethics complaints.
County Executive John Pelham said he was pleased with the vote, even though it was not unanimous, and the fact it was completed in an expeditious manner and well ahead of the deadline. Commissioner Danice Taylor cast the one no vote.
?There was one commissioner that voted against it,? Pelham said. ?He told me previous to the meeting he was going to vote against it, and why he was going to vote against it. He had legitimate concerns as far as how it?s going to affect county employees. But it was something that we?re mandated by the state to do. I think under the circumstances, we came up with the best possible alternative.
?Also, getting it passed this month will give us plenty of time to submit it to the state,? Pelham said. ?We could have done at the June meeting, but it would have been under the gun. Now we?ve got some time to get everything done, and I?m thankful for that.?
Pelham was also pleased with the vote on the WastAway contract to continue taking the county?s solid waste for another year.
?We had several meetings on this,? Pelham said. ?The commissioners toured the plant. We had the opportunity to have question-and-answer sessions with the new CEO Tim Hill for any issues they might want to address. I feel like the commissioners really worked hard behind the scenes to prepare for last night?s contract vote.?
Pelham said he felt the unanimous vote was a vote of confidence in the local company, which has developed an innovative process to recycle household waste into a number of useful products.
Commissioners also voted unanimously to approve a one-year contract with Southern Central Iron and Metal.
?They have always taken couches, chairs, things like that which WastAway doesn?t process,? Pelham said. ?We separated those contracts this year. Whereas in the past WastAway had dealt with Southern Central, now we actually have a contract with both. I think that will help WastAway to do it that way.?