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Quorum Court can award contract to member's employer, ethics panel says Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 By John Lyon Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The Saline County Quorum Court would not necessarily be involved in a conflict of interest if it awarded a contract to a member's employer, the state Ethics Commission said Friday. The commission issued an advisory opinion in response to a question from the Saline County Attorney Jonathan Greer, who asked whether a conflict of interest would exist if the Quorum Court accepted a bid to provide equipment for sheriff's vehicles from a company that employs a member. A state law prohibits public officials from using their official position to secure privileges or exemptions for themselves or people with whom they have a close family or financial relationship, but whether the situation described in Saline County would violate that law would depend on the facts of the situation, the commission said in its opinion. Those facts would include whether the quorum court member had a financial interest in the employer's business and whether the member's vote was the deciding vote. Greer advised the commission that the justice of the peace in this instance does not have an ownership interest in the company. "To avoid any potential problems, it would be advisable for the quorum court member to simply refrain from participating in the decision-making process in regard to this matter," the commission said in the opinion, though it stopped short of saying the member could not vote. The commission also noted that all legislators, including JPs, must report any potential conflicts of interest on their statement of financial interest. Meanwhile Friday, state lawmakers reviewed a $719,948 contract recently awarded to a construction firm owned by Rep. Barry Hyde, D-North Little Rock. The contract with the Arkansas Military Department is for work at the entrance to Camp Robinson in northern Pulaski County. "In the spirit of the law the contract is being brought before you so that we can disclose the fact that we have a state legislator who has a contract," Joe Giddis, director of state's Office of State Procurement, told the Legislative Council. He said Hydco Inc., Hyde's company, was the lowest bidder that met all qualifications for the bid. The council formally reviewed the contract with little discussion. ------- Reporter Rob Moritz contributed to this report. |
