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BOOK 101 FACE 621 Commissioner Macht had never seen that interpretation in the ordinance and stated that one could come and go to practically anything; if there was value, all the individual had to do was declare they were there and list their presence with the Board of County Commissioners' Executive Aide. Commissioner Ginn understood that it had to be divulged if the cost exceeded the per diem, and Attorney O'Brien concurred. She advised that Mr. Anderson used the term "common hospitality"; that is, if it is available to all present, then the Commissioners could certainly partake. She suggested that perhaps including those words in the ordinance would help. Commissioner Macht commented that what Mr. Anderson did not discuss was some of the interpretations of the State Statute, which he thought are still pretty much defective. With respect to the $100, he believed there was an instance of some Jacksonville councilmen who received tickets to a ballgame at a value of $90 -odd every week, and every week was considered a separate incident. He felt the Statute was full of similar interpretations. He saw nothing wrong with our current ordinance. Commissioner Ginn commented on the penalty differences between the County's ordinance and the Statute. She advised that Attorney O'Brien had sent a letter on May 21". to a Mr. Ostrow, formerly with the Commission on Ethics, now in Broward County and drafting an ordinance for Broward County. She also advised that County Attorney Charles P. Vitunac had requested that Mr. Anderson review our ordinance. She, therefore, suggested that the Commissioners wait until responses had been received from them. She felt that there was no harm in postponing the debate. Commissioner Macht reminded everyone that a public hearing was scheduled and the issue before them was whether to abandon the County's ordinance in favor of the State's Statute. He suggested they go forward with the hearing and advised of his intent to vote against the proposed change. He further suggested that they leave the County's ordinance as it is and then it could be amended piece -by -piece in the future. Commissioner Ginn agreed. The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard in this matter. There being none, she closed the public hearing. MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Macht, SECONDED BY Commissioner Ginn, to maintain the County's Ethics Ordinance as presently stated with the understanding that the Board will review it to make changes where people have been confused by it. 11 PA MAY 27,1997 M M M