Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Interest
Authorized by: HCML Board of Trustees Effective Date: November 17, 2005
Relevant Forms: None Revised Date: July 22, 2021
The Horry County Memorial Library Board of Trustees establishes the following policy to:
· Identify areas of standards of conduct
· Identify conflict of interest areas that need to be avoided by Library Board members and Library staff
Gifts
No trustee or employee shall directly or indirectly solicit or receive any money whether in the form of cash, check, loan, credit, or any other form in any amount or solicit any gifts, or accept or receive an individual annual gift, whether in the form of services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or any other form, under circumstances in which it could be reasonably inferred that the money or gift was intended to influence or could be reasonably expected to influence him or her in the performance of official duties or was intended as a regard for any official action.
Confidential Information
No trustee or employee shall disclose confidential information acquired in the course of official duties or use such information to further a personal interest.
Disclosure of Interest in Legislation
To the extent known, any trustee or employee who participates in the discussion or gives an official opinion to the Library Board on any legislation before it shall publicly disclose in the official record the nature and extent of any direct or indirect financial or other private interest he or she may have in such legislation.
Disclosure of Interest in Contracts
To the extent known, any trustee or employee who has, will have, or subsequently acquires any interest in any contract with the Library shall publicly disclose the nature and extent of such interest in writing to the Library Board as well as to his or her immediate supervisor as soon as he or she has knowledge of such actual or prospective intent.
Investments in Conflict with Official Duties
No trustee or employee shall invest or hold any involvement directly or indirectly in any financial, business, commercial, or other private transaction, which creates a conflict.
Private Employment
No trustee or employee shall engage in, solicit, negotiate for, or promise to accept private employment when such employment or service creates a conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of his or her duties.
Prohibited Conflicts of Interest
No Library trustee or employee shall have an interest in any contract between the Library and a corporation or partnership of which he or she is an officer or employee when such Library trustee or employee has the power to (a) negotiate, prepare, authorize, or approve the contract or authorize or approve payment there under, (b) audit bills or claims under the contract, (c) appoint a trustee or employee who has any of the powers or duties set forth above, and, no trustee or employee shall have an interest in a bank or trust company designated as a depository, paying agent, registration agent or for investment of funds of the Library of which he or she is a trustee or employee. The provisions of this action shall in no event be construed to preclude the payment of lawful compensation and necessary expenses of any Library officer or employee in one or more positions of public employment, the hold of which is not prohibited by law.
Certain Interest Prohibited
No trustee or employee who has an interest in any real property, either individually or as a trustee or employee of a corporation or partnership shall participate in the acquisition or plan for acquisition of said property or any property adjacent to said property by the Library. The term participation shall include the promotion of the site as well as the negotiation of the terms of acquisition.
Property
No Library trustee or employee shall use or permit the use of property owned or leased to the Library for other than official purposes or for activities not otherwise officially approved by the Library Board.
The Library Director is responsible for the establishment and administration of this policy.