Section 404.01: Registration, Disclosure Requirements, and Training Certification

Section 404.02: Gifts

A. No contractor shall make a gift to an elected official, employee, or board member in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 102.03.

B. Additionally, no contractor shall provide, pay for, or offer any gift to any elected official, employee, or board member where:

1. The gift is intended to influence the elected official, employee, or board member in the performance or non-performance of his or her official powers or duties;
2. The gift is intended as a reward for any official action on the part of the elected official, employee, or board member.

C. No contractor shall knowingly provide, pay for, or offer, any gift or multiple gifts having an annual aggregate face value of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) or more to a person the contractor knows, or reasonably should know, is an elected official, employee, or board member of the County.

D. Presumption of influence. Subject to the exceptions listed in subsection (E), the following presumptions shall apply:

1. A gift or multiple gifts made within the same calendar year having an annual aggregate value of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) or more are presumed to influence an elected official, employee, or board member in the performance or non-performance of his or her official powers or duties.
2. A gift to an elected official, employee, or board member is presumed to be intended to influence the performance or non-performance of his or her official powers or duties when the gift is from a private person or organization that seeks County action involving the exercise of discretion by or with the participation of the employee.
3. A gift to an elected official, employee, or board member is presumed to be intended as a reward for official action when the gift is from a private person or organization that has obtained County action involving the exercise of discretion by or with the participation of the employee during the preceding twelve months.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions in subsection (C), the following gifts shall not carry a presumption of influence:

1. Gifts made to the County;
2. Gifts given on special occasions, such as marriage, illness, or retirement, which are reasonable and customary, and which do not otherwise constitute a substantial and improper influence on the giftee;
3. Meals and refreshments provided when an elected official, employee, or board member in his or her professional capacity is a speaker or participant at a conference or program and the meals and refreshments are made available to all participants;
4. Invitations to or attendance at charitable fundraisers or community events that provide meals of an ordinary character and do not include entertainment of a significant value;
5. Anything for which an elected official, employee, or board member, or his or her campaign committee where otherwise permitted by law, pays the face value, or at a discount available to all county employees or the general public;

F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, contractors shall not be prohibited from making any campaign contribution that is otherwise lawfully made under this Code and general law.

(Ordinance No. O2016-0002, Enacted 4/26/2016, Effective 5/27/2016)

Section 404.03: Discrimination

Section 404.04: Whistleblowers