EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure shared a proposal Wednesday to change ethics rules for county government officials and employees.
- Proposed amendments to the Northampton County Administrative Code would elaborate on existing rules barring county employees and government officials from accepting gifts
- County Executive Lamont McClure first shared his proposal with Northampton County Commissioners at a committee meeting Wednesday
- McClure said the move to tighten ethics rules was inspired by "complaints from citizens"
Proposed amendments to the county’s administrative code, first shared with County Council’s personnel and finance committees, would elaborate on existing rules barring county employees and government officials from accepting gifts.
McClure said “complaints from citizens” about the county’s gift ban being violated prompted him to take a look at the rules.
“It's important to recognize at this point that we do have an absolute gift ban — except the exceptions to the gift ban are big enough to drive a truck through. We must close those loopholes.”Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure
“When I looked at the Administrative Code, I noticed that these loopholes are anachronistic in today's day and age,” he said.
'Must close those loopholes'
If adopted, the measure revealed Wednesday would add specific language barring county officials and employees from accepting “cash or cash equivalent,” gifts of more-than-trivial value, tickets to events such as concerts or sporting events, and “personal or professional services” from people who have business with the county.
“It's important to recognize at this point that we do have an absolute gift ban — except the exceptions to the gift ban are big enough to drive a truck through,” McClure said, citing the county’s administrative code.
“We must close those loopholes.”
His proposed amendment also includes new exceptions, allowing county officials and employees to accept things such as advertising and promotional materials, items or benefits available to the general public, or ceremonial awards of “insignificant value.”
Another exemption specifically allows “attendance at, or acceptance of ordinary social hospitality in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this policy at, functions, events or fundraisers scheduled on the county elected official’s, officer’s or employee’s personal time.”
McClure asked council to take up the proposal at its next meeting.
