The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is amending its code of conduct policy and board remuneration bylaw.
The amendments to the elected officer code of conduct policy will be forwarded to the Nov. 21 regional district board meeting.
Earlier this year, the regional district adopted its electoral official code of conduct policy. Since that time, the policy has also been adopted by the Village of Keremeos, Town of Osyooos, Town of Princeton and City of Penticton.
The policy allows for a reduction in remuneration for more serious breaches of the policy, but at present, only the City of Penticton has amended its remuneration bylaw to accommodate this.
The amendments remove the adjudicator role and incorporate its responsibilities into the solicitor role.
A section on leave of absence has been added to guide members seeking elected office outside of a local government election.
Other changes affect attempts to resolve complaints and the time frame for complaints.
A section of the policy is being amended so that deliberation and voting on solicitor recommendations will be done in open meetings, unless there is a valid reason to close the meeting under the act.
The board is also suggesting remuneration changes similar to the Penticton remuneration bylaw.
Under these amendments, the first breach would result in a 10 per cent reduction in remuneration for 12 months. The second breach would result in a 15 per cent reduction for 12 months. Third and subsequent breaches would result in a reduction in remuneration of 25 per cent.
The reductions do not apply where the solicitor finds a member took all reasonable steps to prevent the breach, the breach was trivial or inadvertent, or the breach was the result of an error in judgement made in good faith.
