Page 39 - Yucaipa Valley Water District

Director Memorandum No. 17-004 Page 3 of 5

Section 2. Key Principles

(a) Integrity – A Director must not place himself or herself under any financial or other
obligation to any individual or organization that might reasonably be thought to
influence the Director’s performance of his or her duties.

(b) Leadership – A Director has a duty to promote and support the key principles by
leadership and example and to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and
confidence in the integrity of the District.

(c) Selflessness – A Director has a duty to make decisions solely in the public interest.
A Director must not act in order to gain financial or other benefits for himself or
herself, his or her family, friends or business interests. This means making
decisions because they benefit the District, not because they benefit the Director.

(d) Objectivity – A Director must make decisions solely on merit and in accordance
with the Director’s statutory obligations when carrying out public business.

(e) Accountability – A Director is accountable to the public for his or her decisions and
actions.

(f) Transparency – A Director has a duty to be as open and transparent as possible
about his or her decisions and actions and give reasons for decisions.

(g) Honesty – A Director has a duty to act honestly. A Director must declare any
private interests relating to his or her public duties and take steps to resolve any
conflicts arising in such a way that protects the public interest or recuse or
disqualify himself or herself from taking any action which would constitute a conflict
of interest.

(h) Respect – A Director must treat others with respect at all times and observe the
rights of other people. A Director must treat fellow Directors, officials, staff,
customers, and the public, with courtesy and civility.

Section 3. Conduct of Directors

(a) Ethics Training – Directors shall complete two (2) hours of state-mandated ethics
training for local agency officials to meet the specific requirements of state law.
State law also mandates two (2) hours of training within one (1) year of initially
taking office.

(b) Relationship Between Board Members – Directors shall strive to work
collaboratively and assist each other in conducting the affairs of the District.
Directors shall function as a part of a whole. Directors should bring all issues to
the attention of the Board as a whole, rather than to select individual Directors.

(c) Relationship with The Public and Other Public Agencies – Directors shall refer all
complaints from customers, residents, and members of the public, to the General
Manager. A Director shall not make representations or promises to any member
of the public regarding the future action of the District or of the Board, unless such
representation or promise has been duly authorized by the Board. When making

Yucaipa Valley Water District - January 3, 2017 - Page 39 of 120