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ATTACHMENT 1
Draft City Policy Regarding:
Restriction Financial Assistance to
Committee and Commission Members
Policy Number: ______________________
Date Established: ______________________
Date Revised: ______________________
City Manager Approval: ______________________
409084.3 Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: Restriction on Financial Assistance to Committee and Commission Members
PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines to ensure that members of City committees and commissions do not receive financial assistance, grants, subsidies, or other forms of monetary support from the City of Barstow, thereby preventing any possible conflicts of interest and maintaining public trust in municipal decision-making.
Authority
This policy is adopted pursuant to the City of Barstow’s Municipal Code, as well as the general authority of the City Council to regulate appointments and governance of its boards, committees, and commissions, and under its plenary powers regarding the distribution of public funds.
Policy
1. Prohibition on Financial Assistance
o No sitting member of a City committee or commission, or their affiliated organizations, shall be eligible to receive any form of financial assistance, monetary contribution, inkind support, or fee waiver from the City of Barstow during their term of appointment.
2. Covered Forms of Assistance
o This restriction applies to, but is not limited to:
▪ Community Promotional Funds
▪ Community Benefit Program allocations
▪ Grants, sponsorships, or subsidies
▪ In-kind support (e.g., equipment, supplies, etc.)
▪ Waiver or reduction of City fees (e.g., facility rentals; permits, including, without limitation, use and development permits, building permits, business permits, film permits, fire permits, alarm permits, parking permits, special event permits, and street closure permits; etc.)
▪ Any other financial assistance program administered or overseen by the City
3. Applicability
o This policy applies to:
CITY OF BARSTOW
409084.3
▪ Individual City committee or commission members
▪ Organizations, businesses, or groups where the member has a financial interest, ownership, or governing role, including when the City committee or commission member is an owner or serves as an officer, board member, or direction of the organization.
4. Disclosure of Interest
o Applicants for committee or commission positions must disclose any financial interests in organizations that may seek City assistance. o Current members must disclose potential conflicts immediately if their affiliated organization seeks City assistance.
5. Funding Bar and Recusal Requirement
o In the event that an affiliated organization applies for City assistance, the member shall recuse themselves from all related deliberations, discussions, or recommendations.
o The City committee or commission member’s affiliated organization shall not be eligible for funding during the member’s appointment period.
6. Duration of Restriction
o Restrictions remain in effect during the entire term of service.
Exceptions
1. This policy does not apply to any elected City officials, as elected City officials are governed by other applicable conflicts of interest prevention laws, including the Political Reform Act and Government Code section 1090. Note: City Commissioners and committee members are bound by these laws too, and by this additional policy.
2. This policy does not apply to any form of individual low-income public assistance available on equal terms, without specific Council approval, to any member of the public.
Examples of this exception are any individual meals on wheels or other food assistance recipients provided in part with City funding. This exception solely allows the City committee or commission member to receive such individual public assistance.
Enforcement
• Violations of this policy may result in:
o Disqualification of the funding request, and/or
o Removal of the member from their committee or commission by action of the City Council.
Effective Date
This policy shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.