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i . __ _ _ � 1 �� INSTIME PUBLISHES GUIDE ON USE OF �. 57/58 from page 1 • • • • • • • • • • • • — PUBLIC RESOURCES League Execu6ve Direaor c.hris McFCenzie tiad tt�is to say about the voters' support: "It proved The Institute for Local Self Govemment just ��, W. � y� �eRpr has been saying, that with released a new publication designed to help local �� r � �� y � pn help ge' officials understand the law and ethics relating to �� : *�� and humming again." the use of public resources by public oTficials. The Institute is the League's nonprofit research arm. ��: �yy �� y�� myny people had reservations about Prop. 57, but after weighing tlie Entitled Of Cookie Jars and Fishbowls: A P� and cons, tlie League board voted to support Public O�cial's Guide to Use of Public Re- the measure because it was a way to express souroes, the guide covers such issues as ex- support forihis type of bipartisan leadership and pense reimbursement, personal use of public because it was in the best irrterests of cities and the resources (for example, office equipment and staff state as a whole." time), gifts of public funds and other issues. The guide recommends that local agencies adopt a McKenzie aalsso participated last weekend on the policy yoveming use of public resources and prpp, 57 and 58 bus tour for a day, at the invifation of provides a sample policy. The guide also inciudes }� p� 57�Sg pmpaign. case studies (both hypothetical and actual) to illustrate its concepts. "It was energmng and inspiring to see real bipartisanship ffi work," he reported. "I was haPPY The goal of the guide is to provide an easy-to- that I vras able to suppat ihe �nding leadership understand explanation of the relevant laws and p,xhibited by tlie Govemor and Controller Westly. ethical considerations that apply when a local official (elected officiais and staf� makes deci- "It also provided me valuable time with some of _ sions regarding the use of public resources. my counterparts from other state associations who were part of the historic bus tour. For example, I The guide is available without charge in elec- spent many hours seated next to Ron Cotti�gham, tronic form from the Institute's Local Offlcial's president ofthe Police Otficers Research Associa- Ethics Resource Center, which offers a number of tion of Califomia (PORAC). We had the chance to resources of interest on the ethics issue get acquainted and discuss our common interests, (www.ilsq.orq/trust). such as passage of the Local Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Action on the November 2004 Copies are also available for purchase from balbt.. I was grateful for that and many other experi- the League's CITYBOOKS service (order form is ences during the lwo day event" available at www.ilsq.orqttrust Proceeds from the sale of the guide support the Institute's work in the ethics area. The Institute thanks the many city, county and special district officials that served as peer review- ers for this publication. Your input made a material difference in the scope and utility of the ultimate guide. For more about the Institute's work in the ethics area, please visft www.ilsq.orq/trust. Fa �10�e I�fO(i118t1011 O�I thlS �Id 0�1Er �e�UE ISSU25, VISit W W W.CBCILIeS.O�. Visit the League's Official Web Site•-www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 3