Conflicts of Interest

Board members, Regional Partnership Council members and FTF staff shall comply with the conflict of interest provisions of A.R.S. Title 38, Chapter 3, Article 8. These statutes set the minimum standards expected of public officers and employees who, in their official capacities, are faced with a decision or contract that might affect their direct or indirect pecuniary or proprietary interests or those of a relative. Section 38-503 provides in part:

Any public officer or employee of a public agency who has, or whose relative has, a substantial interest in any contract, sale, purchase or service to such public agency shall make known that interest in the official records of such public agency and shall refrain from voting upon or otherwise participating in any manner as an officer or employee in such contract, sale or purchase.

Any public officer or employee who has, or whose relative has, a substantial interest in any decision of a public agency shall make known such interest in the official records of such public agency and shall refrain from participating in any manner as an officer or employee in such decision.

Under this law, a Board member, Regional Partnership Council member or FTF staff member who has a conflict of interest must disclose the interest and refrain from participating in the matter. Board members, Regional Partnership Council members and FTF staff may find guidance on this subject in the Arizona Agency Handbook, which is available on the Attorney General’s website. Board members, Regional Partnership Council members and FTF staff should review conflicts of interest matters not specifically addressed in the Handbook with their supervisors or legal counsel.

In addition to complying with the conflict of interest provisions of Title 38, Chapter 3, Article 8, no Regional Partnership Council member shall vote on, or participate in the discussion of, any grant proposal in which any entity by which they are employed or on whose board they serve has a substantial interest, as defined by A.R.S. Section 38-502.

Furthermore, in accordance with A.R.S. Section 8-1191(C)(5), Board members are specifically prohibited from having a substantial interest in the provision of early childhood education services as defined by Section 38-502.

 

Adopted August 29, 2007
Revised October 3, 2017