L
ocal elected officials are barred from participating in certain proceedings if they've received a contribution over $500 from an involved party within the past 12 months. The threshold was raised to $500 from $250 on January 1, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission website.
Board member Rabbitt implied that other board members could be affected by this issue, suggesting it's driven by politics. SEIU Local 1021, which represents a large share of county employees, supported his opponent in 2022. Rabbitt wouldn't specify who else he was referring to.
Several supervisors, including Chair Lynda Hopkins and Supervisor Chris Coursey, denied receiving donations from Wasem in the past year. However, a campaign finance report for Gore's Senate campaign lists a $5,500 donation from the Family Farmers Alliance, which also donated $5,500 to Gore's campaign through a PAC.
Gore said he doesn't track individual contributors through PACs and claimed not to know anyone who does. The board has struggled with aging buildings on its campus, approving a plan to construct a new building for $308 million and leasing the Aviation Boulevard property for $1.9 million annually.
The proposal also included up to $25 million in tenant improvements between the two properties. However, SEIU Local 1021's letter raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, which County Counsel Robert Pittman said his office is investigating.
Pittman cited standard practice not to respond to letters related to Board items and stated that his office disagrees with SEIU's counsel on the applicable statutes. The Fair Political Practices Commission has no open case regarding this issue, according to a spokesperson.
Rabbitt expressed concerns about staying in compliance with the law, citing difficulties in identifying individuals behind businesses like limited liability partnerships. It's unclear how the delay will impact the county's pursuit of the two properties, but Public Infrastructure Director Johannes Hoevertsz noted that the five-year window for purchasing the Aviation Boulevard property offers some flexibility.
