County ‘Best Practices’

cifically to the insurance industry. In some of the indicators against which Nationwide was evaluated, they continued very strong; in others, their position weakened from the prior year. NACo and the NACo Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee will continue to monitor Nationwide as economic conditions change in 2010. The NACo deferred compensation program, also known as a 457 program, is a voluntary investment program that gives county employees the opportunity to save regularly for their retirement on a pre-tax basis. One of the investment options available to participants is a fixed annuity that offers county employees the opportunity to earn an investment return at a fixed rate that is established quarterly by Nationwide. In addition, on an annual basis, Nationwide sets an investment rate minimum (or floor) for the year. According to the study, the 2008 return on this investment option placed highest among its competitors. The report was released at the November 4, 2009 meeting of NACo’s Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee, held in Monterey County, California. This study has been conducted every year since 1989, and the NACo program has always come out on top. “Our 29-year partnership with NRS continues to deliver a quality program that helps county employees save for a more comfortable retirement – this is more important than ever in today’s economy,” said Larry Naake, NACo executive director. The competitive interest rate test concluded that Nationwide met its contractual requirement to equal or exceed the top one-third of its competitors. This study reviewed the fixed annuity option offered by Nationwide and its nine largest competitors. The consultants’ analyses are only one feature of NACo’s deferred compensation program that distinguishes it from others. As a result of NACo’s Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee, the NACo program is the only one in the country that receives oversight and is advised by county participants. It also benefits from the oversight and endorsement of 41 state associations of counties. (For further information on NACo’s Deferred Compensation program, please contact Lisa Cole at NACo at 202-942-4270 or lcole@naco. org or www.nrsforu.com)

Code of Ethics for County Officials

Preamble

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is committed to the highest standards of conduct by and among county officials in the performance of their public duties. Individual and collective adherence to high ethical standards by public officials is central to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in government.

While county officials agree on the need for proper conduct, they may experience personal conflict or differing view of values or loyalties.

In such cases the principles contained in this Code of Ethics provide valuable guidance in reaching decisions which are governed, ultimately, by the dictates of the individual conscience of the public official and his or her commitment to the public good.

Certain of these ethical principles are best expressed as positive statements: actions which should be taken; courses which should be followed; goals which should permeate both public and private conduct. Other principles are expressed as negative statements: actions to be avoided and conduct to be condemned.

The Code of Ethics for County Officials has been created by and for elected county officials. However, these principles apply to the day to day conduct of both elected and appointed officials and employees of county government.

NACo recognizes that this Code of Ethics should serve as a valuable reference guide for all those in whom the public has placed its trust.

Ethical Principles

The ethical county official should:

Properly administer the affairs of the county.

Promote decisions which only benefit the public interest.

Actively promote public confidence in county government.

Keep safe all funds and other properties of the county.

Conduct and perform the duties of the office diligently and promptly dispose of the business of the county.

Maintain a positive image to pass constant public scrutiny.

Evaluate all decisions so that the best service or product is obtained at a minimal cost without sacrificing quality and fiscal responsibility.

Inject the prestige of the office into everyday dealings with the public employees and associates.

Maintain a respectful attitude toward employees, other public officials, colleagues and associates.

Effectively and efficiently work with governmental agencies, political subdivisions and other organizations in order to further the interest of the county.

Faithfully comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the county and impartially apply them to everyone.

The ethical county official should not:

Engage in outside interests that are not compatible with the impartial and objective performance of his or her duties.

Improperly influence or attempt to influence other officials to act in his or her own benefit.

Accept anything of value from any source which is offered to influence his or her action as a public official.

The ethical county official accepts the responsibility that his or her mission is that of servant and steward to the public.

What they’re saying...

Eddie Jones Continued from 31 >>>

pleted. My position, then and now, was that if the voters of the county elected the person we could not remove them just because they did not do their CE. I recall that Eddie was very frustrated that we did not pass the legislation; I think he tried more than once. I understood he wanted the treasurers to all do right and I appreciated his passion but... I would say it took us some time to work past our differences of opinion but we did and I now consider him a valuable resource on county matters.”

Roger Haney, Washington County Treasurer: “Eddie Jones epitomizes the type individual needed to lead an organization like AAC. No one has worked harder, more diligently and with the enthusiasm than Eddie has since coming on board to lead the AAC. No one knows and understands the interworking of county government in Arkansas better than Eddie. He came along at the right time in our development as an organization and has set the AAC on a course to modernize our technological capabilities to better serve Arkansas counties and get up to a higher level to accomplish our task as an association. He has brought our various Associations closer together to forge a united front, giving us more success in pursuing our legislative program with the General Assembly and state government as a whole. Because of Eddie’s leadership, our programs and the AAC are on good financial footing which will bode well during the tough economic times that we are facing. He will be greatly missed upon his retirement, but we can all be sure that he has built a good foundation for counties to move forward.”

Rep. Monty Davenport: “I wish him the best, but it’s almost heartbreaking that he’s leaving. I’ve never asked for anything from that office that hasn’t gotten immediate attention. Eddie, David Morris, Mark Whitmore, all the staff are about taking care of business, quickly and efficiently. Eddie’s a good manager who focuses on ‘Let’s take care of the people we’re here to take care of.’”

Doris Tate, Sebastian County Clerk: “Eddie is one of the few people that I have known in public service who lives his faith, treating others as he wishes to be treated and giving the credit to a higher power than himself.”

Mark Whitmore, AAC Chief Counsel: “I find it hilarious that the Governor of Arkansas calls him “Fast Eddie”, because Eddie is so rigidly conservative. Also, it was hilarious when Eddie spoke with his golden radio voice through the microphone at the AAC conferences. Sen Jack Critcher got real tickled at this and once remarked that Eddie sounded like a member of the Oak Ridge Boys. His deep voice and cadence made even his announcement of the sponsors sound like Ralph Emory at the Grand Ole Opry! But my one word description of Eddie is “thorough” – just look at Eddie’s email responses on Treasnet. They are full and complete treatises.”

Jeanne Hunt, AAC Executive Assistant: “Everyone bandies about the saying, but truly, Eddie is a GOOD man, the most true and honorable man that I know. I have seen him open his wallet to give a homeless man money, and I have seen him write a check for a family he knew was in need without ever blinking an eye or mentioning it to anyone for self-glory. When he knows someone who loses a loved one, he never fails to send a card. I just can’t emphasize enough how honorable he is. I have known Eddie more than 23 years and I have never seen him NOT do the right thing. He has a keen sense of humor that is fun to be around and when he laughs, it is always all-out laughing!”

Janis Mock, Randolph

County Clerk: Eddie was the best county official imaginable. We depended on him so much. He just knew everything, and everyone knows what a “great guy” Eddie is. We all know how efficient, knowledgeable, wise and dedicated he is. I don’t know if everyone knows what a good sense of humor he has or what a good sport he is. We here in Randolph County (where Eddie cut his eye teeth) love to hear Eddie laugh....He laughs from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet...he laughs all over. It is a wonderful laugh. He is also a good sport, and he had a lot of practice using it here at the courthouse. We did play some terrible practical jokes on him and he handled it with great humor. We have salted his coffee and cough-dropped his coffee, but our best (or worst) one was on his 40th birthday. We hid about 20 hard-boiled eggs in his office, taped behind desk drawers, in filing cabinets, etc. We had them numbered so it implied there were 40 of them. What fun to hear that booming laugh down the hall when he found another one, and his good natured frustration when he could not find all “40” of them. We are glad he is coming home so we can hear that laugh more often!

Sherry Huskey, Randolph County Treasurer: “Eddie is a friend, mentor, former boss – and he is married to my sister, Phyllis, so he is my brother-in-law. Eddie gave me the opportunity to work in the Treasurer’s office in 2002, and today I am still in the office, as Treasurer now. Even after three years, I can still hear his laughter from a funny joke told at the courthouse or hear him whistling as he’s coming down the hall. Eddie is a big part of our county family. We are very proud of him in all his accomplishments in our county and at AAC, and glad he’s coming home.”

Brenda “Emmy” Emerson, AAC Receptionist/Special Events Coordina-

tor: “To quote Woodrow Wilson, ‘You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand’. Eddie is one of the “richest” men I know, because he has certainly done all the above for county government in Arkansas in his 20-plus years of employment and for AAC in his time both on the Board of Directors and here in the office as Executive Director. Personally, I’ll miss that “radio” voice saying “good morning” and “have a good weekend” and the occasional whistling of a tune. Eddie, I wish you lots of sunny days and beautiful lakes full of hungry fish.” Eddie Jones listens attentively to an executive board meeting exchange of ideas

much. When Eddie first became director, he would hug us and I would dread it. Then came the day he didn’t hug me, and I wanted a hug. Needless to say, I am now a HUGGER and I’m so going to miss his hugs. Who’s going to give me my hug now?”

Kim Nash, Claims Examiner, AAC Risk Man-

agement: “It has been such a blessing to have him come in as Executive Director. He brought about a subtle change that made a huge difference. I have appreciated the inspirational emails he sends out from time to time reminding us that he appreciates our work “even though he doesn’t tell us often enough.” I remember past conferences where he stood up and did the announcements in his “radio voice”. I remember the times in the lunch room where he just laughed and laughed not knowing exactly what direction the lunch room conversations would take and probably often wondered what he got himself into. The list goes on: His relationship with Christ; he is someone easy to talk to and eager to listen on any level; the love he has for his wife and his family; his dedication to county government; his appreciation and care for each of us. I just really, really respect him, and I am going to miss him a bunch!”

Cindy Posey, AAC Accountant: “Even though I’ve only gotten to work with Eddie for about seven months, I have greatly appreciated his passion for Arkansas’s counties and the level of professionalism that he brings to this organization. His commitment both to the state and to our staff is certainly something to be emulated. It has been a privilege to work with him and he will truly be missed.

Patti Hill, longtime Crawford County Clerk

(now retired): “Eddie is dedicated to family, friends and counties. He has been a friend for 25-plus years and I have admired his work ethic and dedication to his time as Randolph County Treasurer and as Director of AAC. I, along with many others, will miss him but I wish him the very best as he enters the retirement phase of his life.”

Randy Kemp, AAC Communications Direc-

tor: “Actually, I find Eddie a little aggravating. I keep thinking, if only I could attain to half of his organizational skills and work ethic, I might some day amount to something! On a serious note, there have been three our four people over the years that I have respected so much that I considered them “my hero”, and Eddie is one of them. He strives for excellence in all he does, but on top of that, he is a man of great depth, dimension and conviction, one who is a joy to be around.”

Mark Whitmore (center), Association of Arkansas Counties Chief Counsel, addresses a delegation of Turkish government leaders who visited the Arkansas Municipal League (shown here) as well as AAC facilities and other key government sites as part of a Turkish-American Friendship Tour in the state in February. While in Arkansas the delegation also met with Gov. Beebe, legislators, Secretary of State and mayors. Samsun, Turkey, is a sister city of North Little Rock. (Photo courtesy Andrew Morgan/AML)

Is your community cleaning up?

A good spring cleaning is an annual tradition for communities around the state. We’re talking about organized cleanups held in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup™, the annual spring nationwide community-improvement campaign presented by Keep America Beautiful® and coordinated and promoted by Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB), a certified state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. It takes place March through May.

“The Great American Cleanup in Arkansas is an opportunity for volunteers and communities to shine and help keep The Natural State clean and green. Groups large and small shine when they cleanup their communities by planting trees and flowers, picking up litter and hosting recycling drives,” said Sarah Wruck, Keep Arkansas Beautiful volunteer services coordinator. “We want to preserve our state’s natural beauty for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”

Just over 18,000 Arkansans picked up 1.2 million pounds (600 tons) of litter during last year’s Great American Cleanup in Arkansas. The spring community-improvement effort involved 224 events and more than 50,000 volunteer hours in communities across the state. Arkansans improved their communities by planting nearly 700 trees and more than 173,000 flowers and bulbs, painting and renovating 17 homes, and removing graffiti at three sites.

Volunteers also restored 74 playgrounds; removed 6,938 tires, eight junk cars and 703 batteries; recycled 68,255 pounds (34 tons) of mixed metal, 17,155 pounds (8½ tons) of newspapers and 964,537 pounds (482 tons) of electronics; and collected 1,195 pounds of clothing for reuse. In addition to the many communityimprovement activities, volunteers also picked up litter from 1,822 miles of roadway, trails and shoreline and 439 acres of parks and public areas, and closed five illegal dumping sites.

The volunteer-driven Great American Cleanup in Arkansas also provided the state and participating communities a substantial cost-savings benefit, as donated materials and voluntary labor exceeded $1 million.

As a certified state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., Keep Arkansas Beautiful works to inspire and educate individuals to reduce litter, recycle and keep Arkansas beautiful. It operates as a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and is overseen by a nine-member commission appointed by the governor. KAB is funded by 1 percent of the eighth-cent conservation tax and, by utilizing volunteers, returns to the state a cost benefit of $15.34 in community service for each program dollar spent.