§ 2-41. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Agency means any entity which the county ethics board determines is subject to the legislative authority of the county with respect to the ethics code.

Board of ethics or ethics board means the county ethics board established pursuant to this division.

Business or business entity means any entity, regardless of form, whether or not operated for profit, including but not limited to any corporation, general or limited partnership, sole proprietorship, joint venture, association, firm, institution, trust, person or foundation.

Censure means an expression of severe criticism or reproach.

Civil service code means the Cobb County Civil Service Act governing civil service.

Employee or public employee means any person, employed full-time or part-time by the county government, or any agency. The county manager, department heads and other employees exempt under the civil service code shall be considered public employees for the purposes of this division. The board of commissioners and appointed and elected officials shall not be considered employees but are defined in this section.

Employer means any person paying or agreeing to pay compensation to another person for services rendered.

Financial interest means:

(1)

Any source of income, direct or indirect, from which a person has received, within the past 12 months, or is presently receiving, more than $500.00 per year;

(2)

Ownership, legal or equitable, of more than ten percent of a business entity; or

(3)

Ownership of any interest having a fair market value of more than $20,000.00.

Gift means the transfer of anything of economic value, regardless of form, without adequate and lawful consideration. Such term does not include the solicitation, acceptance, receipt or regulation of political campaign contributions. A gift shall be further defined as a subscription, membership, loan, forgiveness of debt, advance or deposit of money or anything of value, conveyed or transferred.

Immediate relatives means spouse, children, stepchildren, siblings, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and spouses of such persons.

Interests means any legal or equitable economic interest, whether or not subject to an encumbrance or a condition, which was owned or held, in whole or in part, jointly or severally, directly or indirectly.

Person includes any individual, employee or entity.

Professional representative/client means persons with whom the officer currently has a professional relationship due to being represented by, or representing, such person as attorney, physician, cleric, accountant, and the like.

Public officer or officer or official means the members of the board of commissioners and their appointees to all boards, commissions and authorities, except the ethics board; provided, however, that only the members of the board of commissioners shall be subject to the financial disclosure and reporting requirements of subsection (b) of section 2-48 of the Ethics Code.

Reprimand means an expression of disapproval.

(Ord. of 11-14-89, § 103; Code 1977, § 3-20-33; Ord. of 2-22-00; Ord. of 2-27-07; Ord. of 7-28-09)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.