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<br />=1 <br /> <br />5. Gifts <br />Section 2-11.1(e) <br /> <br />Recommendation: No local public official, officer or employee shall accept a <br />gift valued over $100. No local public official, officer or employee shall <br />accept any gift, regardless of value, from any current or potential vendor, <br />service provider, bidder, proposer, lobbyist or consultant. <br /> <br />Rationale: The greatest flaw of the current gift rules is that no cap is placed on <br />the size of a gift that a local public servant can accept so long as the gift is <br />properly reported. One is hard-pressed to understand why such a policy has been <br />in place for so many years. The idea that local government officials can legally <br />accept lavish gifts fuels the perception that their judgment could be compromised <br />by accepting gifts from individuals or entities having a business relationship with <br />government. Therefore, the optimal method to negate this perception is to outlaw <br />gifts from commercially-interested parties. Gifts from other individuals should be <br />limited to no more than $100. <br /> <br />6. Exploitation of Official Position <br />Section 2-11.1(g) <br /> <br />Recommendation: The use of letterhead is limited to official government <br />business. <br /> <br />Rationale: The Task Force believes that public resources should only be used to <br />further the legitimate interest of the governmental entity and should not be <br />utilized for private purposes. Often times, the use of official letterhead will <br />convey the impression that the government endorses the position taken by the <br />official sending the letter/correspondence, This recommendation reinforces the <br />principle that government resources are only supposed to be used for official <br />public business. <br /> <br />7. Two Year Rule <br />Section 2-11.1(q) <br /> <br />Recommendation: Community council members shall be prohibited for a <br />period of two year after County service has ceased from lobbying or <br />appearing before the community council upon which the member served. <br />Former government officials and employees who become employed by non- <br />profit entities or educational entities will no longer be exempt from the Two <br />Year Rule. <br /> <br />10 <br />