The proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that government decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; and the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. In recognition of these goals, there is hereby established a code of ethics for all officers and employees, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid.
This article establishes ethical standards of conduct for District officers and employees by setting forth those acts or actions that are incompatible with the best interests of the District and by directing the officers' disclosure of private financial or other interests in matters affecting the District.
Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the United States and State Constitution and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, State, the Municipal Water District Act of 1911 and the District, thus to foster respect for all governments. They are bound to observe, in their official acts, the highest standards of performance and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office, regardless of personal considerations. Recognizing that the public interests must be their primary concern, their conduct in both their official and private affairs should be above reproach.
Officers and employees owe a duty of loyalty to the political objectives expressed by the electorate and the programs developed by the Board to attain those objectives. Appointive officers and employees should adhere to the rules of work and performance established as the standards for their positions by the appropriate authority.
Officers and employees should not exceed their authority or breach the law, or ask others to do so, and owe a duty to cooperate fully with other public officers and employees unless prohibited from so doing by law or by the officially recognized confidentiality of their work.
(a) 
The canvassing of members of the Board, directly or indirectly, to obtain preferential consideration in connection with any appointment to the municipal service, shall disqualify the candidate for appointment except with reference to positions filled by appointment by the Board.
(b) 
Officers and employees shall not request or permit the use of District-owned vehicles, equipment, materials, or property for personal convenience or profit, except when such services are available to the public generally or are provided for the use of such officer or employee in the conduct of official business.
(c) 
Officers and employees shall not grant special consideration, treatment or advantage to a customer beyond what is available to every other customer.
Officers and employees shall not solicit or participate in soliciting an assessment, subscription of contribution to a political party during working hours on property owned by the District and shall conform to Government Code Sections 3202 and 3203.
Officers and employees shall not promise appointment to a position with the District.
An officer or employee having doubt as to the applicability of this article to a particular situation may apply to the Board for an advisory opinion by Legal Counsel. This chapter shall be operative when the application of a statutory provision is discretionary.
A written communication received by an officer or employee shall be made part of the record of decision. A communication concerning only the status of a pending matter shall not be regarded as an ex parte communication.
Officers and employees shall conduct their official and private affairs so as not to give a reasonable basis for the impression that they can be improperly influenced in performance of public duties. Officers and employees should maintain public confidence in their performance of the public trust in the District. They should not be a source of embarrassment to the District and should avoid even the appearance of conflict between their public duties and private interests.
No person shall be appointed to, removed from, or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to any appointive administrative office because of such person's race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, political opinions, affiliations, or functional limitation as defined by applicable State or federal laws, if otherwise qualified for the position or office. This provision shall not be construed to impair administrative discretion in determining the requirements of a position or in a job assignment of a person holding such a position, subject to review by the Board.
(a) 
Officers and employees shall not engage in or accept any private employment, or render services for private interest, when such employment or service is incompatible with proper discharge of official duties or would tend to impair independence or judgment or action in the performance of those duties.
(b) 
Officers and employees shall not disclose confidential information concerning the property, government, or affairs of the District, and shall not use confidential information for personal financial gain.
(c) 
Officers and employees shall not accept a gift in excess of limits established by state law. Officers and employees shall not accept any gift contingent upon a specific action by the Board.
(d) 
Officers and employees shall not appear on behalf of business or private interests of another before the Board where such appearance would create a potential of having to abstain from officers participating on that matter or be incompatible with official duties. Officers and employees shall not represent a private interest of another person or entity in any action or proceeding against the interest of the District in any litigation to which the District is a party. A Director may appear before the District on behalf of constituents in the course of duties as a representative of the electorate or in the performance of public or civic obligations.
For one year following termination of office holding, former Directors and the General Manager shall not attempt to influence administrators or legislative action by the District as an agent or attorney of another for compensation. This provision does not apply if the former Director or General Manager is acting as the agent or attorney of another public agency for compensation. As used herein, administrative action includes, but is not limited to, quasi-legislation, quasi-judicial decisions, and decisions to purchase or sell property, but does not include solely ministerial actions.
In addition to any other penalties or remedies provided by law, any violation of the provisions of this Chapter shall constitute a cause for suspension, removal from office or employment or other disciplinary action after notice and hearing conducted by the appropriate appointed authority or, in the case of the Board, a majority of such Board.
[Amended by Res. 2506, 1-24-2017; Res. 2575, 5-5-2020; Res. 2625, 7-18-2023]
The Political Reform Act (Government Code Section 81000, et seq.) requires state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate conflict of interest codes. The Fair Political Practices Commission has adopted a regulation (2 Cal. Code of Regs. 18730), which contains the terms of a standard conflict of interest code. After public notice and hearing, it may be amended by the Fair Political Practices Commission to conform to amendments in the Political Reform Act. Therefore, the terms of 2 California Code of Regulations Section 18730, and any amendments to it duly adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission, are hereby incorporated into the conflict of interest code of this agency by references. This regulation and the attached Appendices (or Exhibits) designating officials and employees and establishing economic disclosure categories shall constitute the conflict of interest code of this agency.
All officials and employees required to submit a statement of economic interests shall file their statements with the agency head; or his or her designee. The agency shall make and retain a copy of all statements filed by its Board of Directors and General Manager and forward the originals of such statements to the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County.
The agency shall retain the originals of statements for all other Designated Positions named in the agency’s conflict of interest code. All retained statements, original or copied, shall be available for public inspection and reproduction (Gov. Code Section 81008).
[Amended by Res. 2506, 1-24-2017; Res. 2575, 5-5-2020; Res. 2625, 7-18-2023]
Exhibit “A”
The following categories are established for the purpose of conflicts of interest disclosure:
Category 1. Persons in this category shall disclose all interest in real property within the jurisdiction. Real property shall be deemed to be within the jurisdiction if the property or any part of it is located within or not more than two miles outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction or within two miles of any land owned or used by the agency.
Persons are not required to disclose a residence, such as a home or vacation cabin, used exclusively as a personal residence; however, a residence in which a person rents out a room or for which a person claims a business deduction may be reportable.
Category 2. Persons in this category shall disclose all investments and business positions.
Category 3. Persons in this category shall disclose all income (including gifts, loans, and travel payments) and business positions.
Category 4. Persons in this category shall disclose all business positions, investments in, or income (including gifts, loans, and travel payments) received from business entities that manufacture, provide or sell service and/or supplies of a type utilized by the agency and associated with the job assignment of designated positions assigned this disclosure category.
[Amended by Res. 2506, 1-24-2017; Res. 2575, 5-5-2020; Res. 2625, 7-18-2023]
Exhibit “B”
The following employees are designated to file conflicts of interest disclosure statements for the disclosure categories specified.
Designated Employees
Category
Board of Directors
1, 2, 3
General Manager
1, 2, 3
District Counsel
1, 2, 3
Executive Assistant/Clerk of the Board
2, 3
Treasurer
2, 3
Director of Facilities and Operations
4
Director of Finance and Administration
4
Finance Manager
4
Purchasing Supervisor
4
Director of Engineering and External Affairs
4
Administrative Services Coordinator
4
Customer Service Manager
4
Facilities Manager
4
Human Resources Manager
4
Information Systems Manager
4
Principal Engineer
4
Public Affairs & Communications Manager
4
Resource Conservation Manager
4
Water Reclamation Manager
4
Water Systems Manager
4
Consultants/New Positions*
 
Notes:
*Consultants/New Positions are included in the list of designated positions and shall disclose pursuant to the broadest disclosure category in the code, subject to the following limitations.
(a) 
The General Manager or his or her designee may determine in writing that a particular consultant or new position, although a “designated position,” is hired to perform a range of duties that is limited in scope and thus is not required to fully comply with disclosure requirements in this section. Such written determination shall include a description of the consultant’s or new position’s duties and, based upon that description, a statement of the extent of disclosure requirements. The General Manager or his or her designee’s determination is a public record and shall be retained for public inspection in the same manner and location as this conflict of interest code. (Gov. Code Section 81008.)
(b) 
Individuals who perform under contract the duties of any designated position shall be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests disclosing reportable interest in the categories assigned to that designated position.