Summary of Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics Meeting Held on January 9, 2025

​The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics (COE) took the following action at its monthly public meeting held on January 9, 2025.

One complaint was heard in executive session. The complete file will be available on the COE's website within seven days at: http://www.palmbeachcountyethics.com/complaints.htm.

C24-008 : After considering the probable cause recommendation submitted by the COE advocate, the COE found that probable cause existed and dismissed the complaint after determining that the public interest would not be served by proceeding further.

The COE approved one advisory opinion. The full opinion will be available on the COE's website within seven days at: https://www.palmbeachcountyethics.com/coepub/ .

RQO 25-001 : An employee asked if the Palm Beach County Code of Ethics (Code) would prohibit county employees from accepting part-time employment with an organization that is a County vendor, where the contract is overseen by the department in which the employees work.

The COE opined as follows : The Code would prohibit employees from obtaining part-time employment with this organization because it is a vendor of their public employer, and the specific department where the employees work oversees the subject contract. Because of this, employees working within that department would not be able to comply with all of the requirements of the part-time employment exception and waiver provision.

A detailed explanation of all agenda items is available at http://www.palmbeachcountyethics.com/meetings.htm .