Goals of the Code of Ethics:

To make our agency a better LAFCO, built on mutual respect and trust.

To promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct among all involved in government.  

The proper operation of democratic government requires that decision-makers be independent, impartial and accountable to the people they serve. The Commission has adopted this Code of Ethics to promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct in LAFCO's government.

LAFCO Commissioners, employees, paid volunteers/interns, and consultants subject to LAFCO's Conflict of Interest Code shall coomply with this Code, understand how it applies to their specific responsibilities and practice its core values in their work. Because LAFCO seeks public confidence in the its services and public trust of its decision-makers, LAFCO's decisions and work must meet the most demanding ethical standards and demonstrate the highest levels of achievement in following this Code.

Guide to Ethical Decision Making

To assist in fostering a climate of ethical awareness, conduct and decision making at LAFCO, employees may find it useful to refer to or consider, either by themselves or in conjunction with their peers, supervisor or Executive Officer the following five points:

1.    Is the decision or conduct lawful?

2.   Is the decision or conduct consistent with the LAFCO Commissioner Handbook and LAFCO’s goals and Code of Conduct?

3.   What will the outcome be for the employee, other employees, LAFCO, and others?

4.   Do these outcomes raise a conflict of interest or lead to private gain at LAFCO’s expense?

5.   Can the decision or conduct be justified in terms of public interest and would it withstand public scrutiny?

Ethics Training
Each member of the Commission, the Executive Officer, and staff, shall comply with the statutory requirement that local agency officials receive at least two hours of training in general ethics principles and ethics laws relevant to his or her public service every two years. Public officials assuming office are to receive required training no later than a year after the first day of service.

County, City or District members of LAFCO may submit a certificate of compliance that has been submitted to his or her respective public entity.