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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Salt Lake County's ethics package has finally been approved after several delays.
Yesterday, the County Council decided to ban officials, administrators and managers from lobbying the county for one year if they voluntarily leave their position. However, licensed professionals, such as deputies for the District Attorney and appraisers, will be exempt.
County members say the prohibition should eliminate any dealmaking at taxpayer expense by high-level county employees that bolt for the private sector.
But District Attorney David Yocom questioned whether that's a real concern. He says "we're swatting at flies that don't really exist." While Councilwoman Jenny Wilson says it may not be perfect, but it seems reasonable.
The lobbying ban completes a triumvirate of ethics reforms following several county-government scandals over the past year.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
