By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County Commissioners endorsed an amendment to the Political Activity Policy.
It was decided that an employee may participate in political activity that does not jeopardize the confidence of the public or of government officials in the impartiality of the county.
"We have needed a policy to address these issues," said Byron Woodland, commissioner.
He said that, because a policy was needed, the commission had worked together to craft such a policy.
At commission meeting, commissioners agreed to adopt the policy.
"An employee shall not participate in political activity which conflicts with or otherwise affects the mission and activities of the county or the department or office for which he/she works," Chad Winn, commission chairman, read from the policy.
Newly added are the following words: "Conflicts or potential conflicts shall be determined by the county commission."
If an employee becomes a candidate for a partisan or full-time non-partisan elected public office, the county commission will determine whether the circumstances of the individual's employment requires that the employee be placed upon "leave of absence" without pay status for the period of the candidacy.
If an employee is elected to a full-time public office, that employee may be required to resign their positions with the county or may be placed upon "leave of absence" without pay for the term of office.
"Employees may retain their position with the county when elected to public office only if there can be no potential for conflict of interest or negative impact upon job performance," states the policy. "Also, such employees may be placed on 'leave of absence' without pay for times when monetary compensation is received for service in political office and when such service conflicts with normal county work times."
An employee, it was decided by commissioners, shall not use county-owned vehicles, equipment, supplies or resources, and other attendant expenses (such as diskettes, paper, computer on-line and access charges, etc.) when engaged in political activity.
An employee is not to discriminate in favor of or against any person or applicant for employment based on political activities. No person employed by the county under the personnel system may be dismissed from service as a result of political opinion or affiliation.
"An employee shall not discriminate in favor of or against any person or applicant for employment based on political activities," the policy states. "No person employed by the county under the personnel system may be dismissed from service as a result of political opinion or affiliation."
An employee is not to use the employee's title or position while engaging in political activity.
An employee may voluntarily contribute funds to political groups and become a candidate for public office.
The intent of this provision is to allow the individual freedom of political expression and to allow employees to serve as voting district officers and as state or county delegates without jeopardizing public programs for which he/she is responsible or affiliated.
No county officer or employee, whether elected or appointed, may directly or indirectly coerce, command, advise or solicit any officer or employee covered under the personnel system to pay, lend or contribute part of his or her salary or compensation or anything else of value to any party, committee, organization, agency or person for political purposes.
No county officer or employee, whether elected or appointed, may attempt to make any officer's or employee's personnel status dependent upon the employee's support or lack of support for any political party, committee, organization, agency, or person engaged in a political acclivity.
"Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit partisan political activity of any county employee who is prevented or restricted from engaging in such political activity by the provision of the Federal Hatch Act," it states.
This section is not to be construed to restrict county employees from benefits or privileges otherwise available to the public. Therefore, any benefits or privileges available to the public will also be available to a county employee unless there is a conflict of interest.
