A city contracts with a private company to collect solid waste within the city. If not for this contract, city employees would carry out this function. The only connection between the city and the company is the contract. It’s a … Read more
Two related chapters in the North Carolina General Statutes govern the spending of money to influence state officials. The State Government Ethics Act (G.S. Chapter 138A) sets ethical standards for the state officials themselves, and the lobbying laws (G.S. Chapter 120C) … Read more
Carolina County has just awarded a contract for uPad tablet computers. Bill Goats, the purchasing officer for Carolina County, is having lunch with his friend in the public works department, Steve Jabs. Bill mentions the contract to Steve. “My daughter … Read more
One of your city council members, Georgia Peach, is a plumber, and owns her own plumbing business, Peaches & Plumbs, LLP. Peaches & Plumbs often subcontracts with one of the bigger and more reputable general contractors in town, Constructive Construction, … Read more
In an earlier blog, I discussed the meaning of “public office.” As promised, I will now examine multiple and ex officio office-holding.
How many local government clients are too many? If an attorney represents a county, is that attorney precluded from also representing a city in that county? What about representing multiple counties or multiple cities? These questions are of great concern … Read more
The governing board of a small town believes that it would be advantageous to hire the mayor as a part-time town administrator. Is this legal? In some cases, it is. There are two main legal prohibitions that would generally bar … Read more
With new county commissioners, school board members, and municipal councilpersons being sworn in after last month’s local elections, the face and voice of the client has changed for more than one local government attorney. What happens when one of those … Read more
As I mentioned in my post last week, the Grants Management Common Rule (which applies to all federal grants) requires entities that receive federal grants to establish a “code of conduct.” This post will address what the Rule says about … Read more
A few of my posts have discussed the limited bases upon which city and county board members may be excused from voting, and the lack of clarity in the statutes about how this should be done. I’ve mostly focused on … Read more