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November 15, 2010 (Regular Meeting) Page 198 rights in considering and enacting ordinances, orders, and resolutions • As decision - makers, who arrive at fair and impartial quasi - judicial and administrative determinations. • Board members must know how to distinguish among these roles, to determine when each role is appropriate, and to act accordingly. • Board members must be aware of their obligation to conform their behavior to standards of ethical conduct that warrant the trust of their constituents. Each official must find within his or her own conscience the touchstone by which to determine what conduct is appropriate. CODE OF ETHICS Purpose The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners and to help determine what conduct is appropriate in particular cases. It should not be considered a substitute for the law or for a board member's best judgment. Section 1 . Board members should obey all laws applicable to their official actions as members of the board. Board members should be guided by the spirit as well as the letter of the law in whatever they do. At the same time, board members should feel free to assert policy positions and opinions without fear of reprisal from fellow board members or citizens. To declare that a board member is behaving unethically because one disagrees with that board member on a question of policy (and not because of the board member's behavior) is unfair, dishonest, irresponsible, and itself unethical. Board members should endeavor to keep up -to -date, through the board's attorney and other sources, about new or ongoing legal or ethical issues they may face in their official positions. This educational function is in addition to the day -to -day legal advice the board may receive concerning specific situations that arise. Section 2 . Board members should act with integrity and independence from improper influence as they exercise the duties of their offices. Characteristics and behaviors consistent with this standard include the following: • Adhering firmly to a code of sound values • Behaving consistently and with respect toward everyone with whom they interact • Exhibiting trustworthiness • Living as if they are on duty as elected officials regardless of where they are or what they are doing • Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they see it, presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner • Remaining incorruptible, self - governing, and unaffected by improper influence while at the same time being able to consider the opinions and ideas of others • Disclosing contacts and information about issues that they receive outside of public meetings and refraining from seeking or receiving information about quasi - judicial matters outside of the quasi - judicial proceedings themselves • Treating other board members and the public with respect and honoring the opinions of others even when the board members disagree with those opinions • Not reaching conclusions on issues until all sides have been heard • Showing respect for their offices and not behaving in ways that reflect badly on those offices • Recognizing that they are part of a larger group and acting accordingly • Recognizing that individual board members are not generally allowed to act on behalf of the board but may only do so if the board specifically authorizes it, and that the board must take official action as a body Section 3. a . Board members should avoid impropriety in the exercise