LARIMER COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LIAISON GUIDELINES & CODE OF CONDUCT
Article I. Purpose and Role
- Purpose: The purpose of these Guidelines is to establish a framework for designated Single Points of Contact ("Liaisons") to gather neighborhood feedback, share localized priorities, and serve as an informal conduit of information between property owners within an Improvement District (“District”) and Larimer County Engineering Staff.
- Advisory & Liaison Capacity: Liaisons act purely in an informal advisory and liaison capacity. They serve to gather and share total community input regarding proposed or needed neighborhood projects, infrastructure maintenance, and localized priorities.
- Governing Authority: Larimer County and its designated Staff remain the sole decision-making authority for the District. Liaisons do not hold administrative governing authority, possess officer titles, or make formal binding decisions for Larimer County—they provide information and recommendations on behalf of the neighborhoods as noted above.
Article II. Liaison Structure & Service
- Selection & Eligibility: Liaisons must own property within the District boundary. Liaisons must be inclusive of all District property members.
- Voluntary Service: Liaisons serve entirely on a voluntary basis to advise Larimer County or designated County Staff.
- Single Point of Contact Structure: Liaisons operate as individual designated contacts on behalf of the District. There are no formal board or officer positions (e.g., Chair, Secretary, Treasurer), quorums, or voting structures. The purpose is to ensure District priorities are being shared with the designated staff contact.
- Communication & Contact Information: Liaisons will receive communications, including phone calls or emails, related to their role through the contact details they have provided in their application, and will ensure that staff have up-to-date information.
- Resignation: Should a Liaison need to resign from their role, they will notify their designated Staff Contact as soon as practical and submit a notice of resignation.
Article III. Standard of Conduct & Public Representation
Liaisons represent the interest of the District and community. To maintain public trust and respect when interacting with property owners, County Staff, and the broader public, Liaisons shall adhere to the following standards:
- Professional Conduct: Liaisons shall maintain a respectful, professional, and constructive demeanor in all public interactions, written communications, and interactions with neighbors and County staff.
- Non-Discrimination: Liaisons will include all property owners within the District boundaries in communications and will not discriminate against any person based on race, gender, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, public assistance status, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disabilities, or any other category protected by law.
- Fair Representation: Liaisons strive to maintain open communication with property owners, gathering balanced input on community needs (e.g., roads, storm drainage, budget priorities) without favoring personal interests or an individual property owner.
- Public Statements & Limitations:
- Liaisons serve as informal gatherers of information and context from the District.
- Liaisons must not represent their own personal views as official policy or decisions of Larimer County. When expressing personal views, Liaisons should clarify that they are speaking as individual property owners and not on behalf of Larimer County.
- Liaisons may not make statements that commit County resources, funds, or projects to any vendor or entity.
Article IV. Ethics, Conflicts of Interest, and Confidentiality
- Confidential Information: Liaisons who receive sensitive information from County staff shall not use it for private benefit. Inappropriate disclosure of confidential information is prohibited and can subject Liaisons to civil, criminal, or regulatory consequences.
- Conflicts of Interest:
- A Liaison must declare any personal or financial conflict of interest regarding a proposed neighborhood project or topic under discussion.
- Financial Interest: If a decision or recommendation entails some foreseeable, measurable financial benefit to the Liaison or a relative, the Liaison must declare the conflict and refrain from attempting to influence the decision.
- Personal Interest: A personal interest also creates a conflict if, in the judgment of a reasonably prudent person, the Liaison would realize or experience a direct and substantial benefit or detriment different in kind from that experienced by the general public.
Article V. Information Sharing, Engagement, and Expenses
- Informal Gathering: Liaisons may gather community input through informal conversations, email exchanges, or voluntary neighborhood surveys.
- No Open Meeting Requirements: Because Liaisons act as individual points of contact rather than a governing board or voting body, informal discussions and feedback gathering are not subject to formal public meeting requirements or parliamentary rules.
- County Communication: Liaisons periodically submit summarized community input, project ideas, or questions directly to the Larimer County Engineering Department or designated Staff Contacts for consideration.
- Expenses & Compensation: Liaisons serve in an unpaid, voluntary role and shall not incur any out-of-pocket expenses on behalf of the District or County without prior written approval from the designated County department.
Article VI. Compliance & Reporting
- Reporting Concerns: Liaisons or neighbors who become aware of violations regarding these standards or are subject to legal/ethical concerns should report the incident to their designated Staff Contact. If the issue involves the Staff Contact, it should be reported to the appropriate department manager or administrative contact.
- Compliance: Liaisons shall operate in alignment with all applicable resolutions, rules, and administrative policies of Larimer County. Larimer County reserves the right to update or modify these Guidelines as necessary.
