HomeMy WebLinkAbout770055.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: ACCEPTANCE OF COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT ON "CONFLICT OF
INTEREST" QUESTION CONCERNING COMMISSIONER ED DUNBAR
FOSTER CHILD MATTER.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, received a written report from the Weld County Council
dated January 31, 1977 concerning the "conflict of interest"
question of Ed and Lydia Dunbar concerning a possible "conflict
of interest" due to the fact that a foster child now resides in
the home of Ed and Lydia Dunbar and payments for and on behalf
of said child are being made by the Department of Social Services
of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners desires to
accept said report and to make the same a part of the official
records of the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado accept the report of
the Weld County Council dated January 31, 1977 concerning the
Ed and Lydia Dunbar "conflict of interest" matter regarding
the foster child now residing with Ed and Lydia Dunbar.
The above and foregoing Resolution was , on motion duly
made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 7th
day of February, A. D. , 1977.
The above and foregoing Resolution was read into the record
and signed on the 9th day of February, A.D. , 1977.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: ' . , _Z:7(.) `✓l' -4/i
Weld County Clerk and Recorder
and Clerk to the Board
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Deputy County Clerk
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APPRO D AS TO FORM:
County Attorney
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I r 3 1977 DUNBAR - FOSTER CHILD RULING
Weld County Council
January 31, 1977
COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER i
SY Deputy
Since 1968 social programs in Weld County have been expanded a great
deal. The commissioners must and do, during each year, answer many questions
and solve many problems besides budgeting problems for social and social
related areas.
It might possibly be legal for the board - other than Mr. Dunbar - to
make a decision for the county to accept financial responsibility for the
foster child in the Dunbar home; however, this decision might very well create
other problems and inequities.
a) The board may be in the position of using county funds in a
preferential manner for foster care which is ordinarily shared 80%
by state and 20% by county rather than 100% by the county.
b) The decision by the board to accept, for the county, totally, this
responsibility may place Mr. Dunbar in a position of indebtedness
whereby it would be difficult to oppose other commissioners, or
properly represent the people of district one and the people of
Weld County in the many social and social related programs now in
existence in Weld County.
c) State Social Service Regulations in regard to conflict of interest
seem quite clear, and prohibit use of state funds for foster children
in homes of elected officials at the county level. This same logic
and reasoning should apply to the use of county funds.
Social Service Policies A-7218.9 l.g. (2) "It is a conflict of interest
for an employee of a county department of social services to act as
a foster parent to a child who is under the care, custody, or guardianship
of a county department of social services. Approval shall not be
given for an elected or appointed official to act in the capacity of ,
a foster parent for a child under the care, custody, or guardianship
of a county department of social services when such elected or
appointed official is or could be involved in decisions, administra-
tion, or disposition of a child's case involving care, custody, or
guardianship."
1) For the board to make an exception to this rule by using county
funds totally might create a situation whereby the county would
be financially responsible for, and in a position of approving
foster care in homes of employees of the department of social
services and in the homes of other elected officials.
d) Although it might be possible for Mr. Dunbar to abstain from any and
all decisions in regard to foster care of children in Weld County,
it would not be feasible for Mr. Dunbar to abstain from participation
1cc_ -4/7/77
Dunbar Ruling Page 2
Weld County Council
in all social problems in Weld County, many of which are related
in several ways to the program for foster children.
e) The one main consideration is, of course, the needs and welfare of
the child.
1) There should be no doubt but what the proper and intelligent
action taken should be toward making it possible for the child
to remain in the Dunbar home.
2) We sincerely hope that the Dunbars would find it possible to
keep this child in accordance with State Social Service
regulations as stated in the letter of December 20, 1976
addressed to Mr. Dunbar and signed by Eugene McKenna, without
additional payment from county funds.
3) We fully realize that this solution creates a financial burden
on the Dunbars which is not shared by others caring for foster
children and that this solution in its entirity may be unfair.
4) We commend Mr. Dunbar and his wife for the decision to continue
to keep and support this child even though they may not receive
any funds.
f) The Council moved and seconded a motion on January 19, 1977 to draft
a resolution that if the county provides financial support for this
foster child it would be a conflict of interest for Mr. Dunbar to
accept it. Motion unanimously carried.
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