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February 1, 2007
Newly-elected Tax Collector, Anne Gannon, has implemented
a rigid "No Gift" policy throughout her office,
including the branch offices. The revised "No Gift"
policy, implemented February 1, 2007, bars any employee of
the Office of the Tax Collector from accepting any type of
gift, including food.
"The employees of the Tax Collector have always been
prudent regarding gifts, but given the recent sensitivity
to governmental abuses, we needed to clearly define the gift
parameters. No gifts of any kind are
acceptable."
In addition to receiving a copy of the new policy, each employee
received suggested language to use to politely refuse a gift.
Any gifts delivered that are not returnable will be donated
to local charities.
The language of the policy is as follows:
POLICY:
Consistent with Florida Statutes, public officers and employees
of the Tax Collector's Office may not solicit, accept, or
agree to accept gifts from any customer or office vendor.
PROCEDURE:
1. Definition: For the purposes of this policy, gifts are
defined as any item of value to the recipient, including a
gift, loan, money, reward, favor, service or promise of future
employment given by any customer, vendor, or potential vendor
of the Tax Collector's Office.
2. Public officers and/or employees must politely decline
gifts as acceptance, solicitation or the promise of acceptance
of any gift can lead to the perception that the employee's
actions or judgment can be easily influenced. Employees and
relatives of employees may not accept gifts from customer,
vendors, or potential vendors on or off Tax Collector premises.
3. Gifts should be politely declined. In the event that a
gift is left for an employee, the employee must immediately
notify his/her supervisor of the gift so that the supervisor
can politely arrange for its return.
4. Violations of this policy may result in corrective action
up to and including termination of employment.
For more information, please call Jennifer Mahoney, Director
of Public Affairs at (561) 355-4271.
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