1. It is essential to proper conduct and operation of Hillsborough River State Park

Preservation Society, Inc (herein “CSO”) that its board members, officers, and

employees be independent and impartial and that the position not be used for private

gain.  Therefore, the Florida Legislature in Section 112.3251, Florida Statute (Fla. Stat.),

requires that the law protect against any conflict of interest and establish standards for

the conduct of (CSO) board members, officers, and employees in situations where

conflicts may exist.

​ 2. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state that no (CSO) board member,

officer, or employee shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or

occur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper

discharge of his or her duties for the CSO. To implement this policy and strengthen the

faith and confidence of the people in Citizen Support Organizations, there is enacted a

code of ethics setting forth standards of conduct required of Hillsborough River State

Park Preservation Society, Inc. members, officers, and employees in the performance of

their official duties. STANDARDS: The following standards of conduct are enumerated

in Chapter 112, Fla. Stat. and are required by Section 112.3251, Fla. Stat., to be

observed by CSO board members, officers, and employees.

  1. Prohibition of Solicitation Acceptance of Gifts, no CSO board member, officer,

or employee shall solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient, including a gift,

loan, reward, promise of future employment, favor, or service, based upon any

understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the CSO board member,

officer, or employee would be influenced thereby.

  2. Prohibition of Accepting Compensation Given to Influence a Vote. No CSO

board member, officer, or employee shall accept any compensation, payment, or thing

of value when the person knows, or, with reasonable care, should know that it was

given to influence a vote or other action in which the CSO board member, officer, or

employee was expected to participate in his or her official capacity.

  3. Salary and Expenses. A CSO board member or officer shall be prohibited from

voting on a matter affecting his or her salary, expenses, or other compensation as a

CSO board member or officer, as provided by law, page 1 of 2.

  4. Prohibition of Misuse of Position. A CSO board member, officer, or employee

shall not corruptly use or attempt to use one’s official position or any position or any

property or resource which may be within one’s trust, or perform official duties, to secure

a special privilege, benefit, or exemption.

 

HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK PRESERVATION SOCIETY CODE OF ETHICS

 

  5. Prohibition of Misuse of Privileged Information. No CSO board member, officer,

or employee shall disclose or use information not available to members of the general

public and gained by reason of one’s official position for one’s own personal gain or

benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of any other person or business entity.

  6. Post-Office/ Employment Restrictions: A person who has been elected to any

CSO board or office or who is employed by a CSO may not personally represent

another person or entity for compensation before the governing body of the CSO of

which he or she was a board member, officer, or employee for a period of two years

after he or she vacates that office or employment position.

  7. Prohibition of Employees Holding Office: No person may be, at one time, both

a CSO employee and a CSO board member at the same time.

  8. Requirements to Abstain From Voting: A CSO board member or officer shall

not vote in official capacity upon any measure which would affect his or her special

private gain or loss, or which he or she knows would affect the special gain or any

principal by whom the board member or officer is retained. When abstaining, the CSO

board member or officer, prior to the vote being taken, shall make every reasonable

effort to disclose the nature of his or her interest as a public record in memorandum filed

with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who shall

incorporate the memorandum in the minutes. If it is not possible for the CSO board

member or officer to file a memorandum before the vote, the memorandum must be

filed with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting no later than

15 days after the vote.

  9. Failure to Observe CSO Code of Ethics: Failure of a CSO board member,

officer, or employee to observe the Code of Ethics may result in the removal of that

person from their position. Further, failure of the CSO to observe the Code of Ethics

may result in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection terminating its

Agreement with the CSO.