County Commissioners Establish And Adopt Conflict Of Interest Policy

Last updated on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Commissioners passed a resolution establishing and adopting a conflict of interest policy Tuesday morning.

President Gene McCracken says the resolution was prepared after reviewing several other county's policies.

"Conflict of interests in serving as a public officials are not only against state and federal regulations, but are also detrimental to the county's reputation and the public's confidence" he added.

The policy states:

No public official or county employee shall accept a gratuity of any amount greater than $200 from a vendor conducting business with the county. A gratuity of any amount $200 or less for a single event is considered not substantial. Gratuities include invitations to events where business is often conducted and items customarily conveyed therein, including but not limited to dinners and golf outings at which county officials and employees may be the guest of the vendors that do business with the county.

This Conflict of Interest Policy establishes a rule in addition to those imposed by the state and Federal Governments regarding financial incentives for public servants and elected officials. Any conflict with state or federal laws or regulations of this policy are to be interpreted in favor of the state or federal regulation setting precedent..

The commissioners voted to extend the county's primary care program with St. Vincent Dunn Hospital.

Miles Parker, with Parker Group reported the county's steering committee on insurance policies found the cost for appointments was a "little high," so the committee looked into dropping the hours of care.

St. Vincent and the steering committee generated a new contract reducing the cost to half. The old contract was for $14,640 a year for both hospitals. The new contract will be $8,320 for both hospitals.

Now employees will have a day and a half, a week to set up their appointments.

"IU has not responded to our request," Parker added. "So I would like to execute the contract with St. Vincent and send a copy to IU Health for them to either execute or send back with changes."

The commissioners approved the contract with St. Vincent.

Highway Department Supervisor David Holmes reported the department continues on working on cutting brush, replacing culverts and grading gravel roads.

Sheriff Mike Branham reported there were 123 inmates in the Lawrence County Jail Tuesday morning. Of those, 17 were female, 12 were Level 6 felony offenders and there were no Department of Correction holds.

He says staff are busy learning the new Spillman Technologies, Inc. integrated computer aided dispatch system (CAD) software.

"We will go live with the new system in June," Sheriff Branham added. "We are training Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays eight hours a day."

Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer says the she has been working with Orange County on the 100 mile Dogwood Peddle.

The Dogwood Pedal is a brand new Century Ride that starts in historic downtown Orleans at the gazebo and takes cyclists through the best backroads of Southern Indiana including parts of Lawrence County.

This ride is not for the faint of heart - it will include hills such as Dead Horse Hill plus many more areas of interest including the Tunnelton Tunnel, landmarks such as Gus Grissom Memorial in Spring Mill State Park and Guthrie Mansion and sites in Orange County include the West Baden Dome and Pete Dye Gulf Course areas and French Lick Resort & Casino.

Shorter distances are available: 10 mile family route, 25, and 50 mile, but keep in mind the 25 mile and 50 mile also offer some challenges and hillwork.

This ride is being held in conjunction with the 2017 Orleans Dogwood Festival and is set for Saturday, April 22.

Pre-register and sign in from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. at the Orleans gazebo. Century riders need to be on the course by 8 a.m.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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