Parr files conflict disclosure (1/4/05)

He says his ownership of an office products store that is a major supplier to Jay County government won’t be a major issue.

But to make sure, new North District Jay County Commissioner Faron Parr, who attended his first meeting today, has filed a statement disclosing a potential conflict of interest.

Parr said last week he didn’t think there would be any problems related to the fact he will be a commissioner as well as the owner of Progressive Office Products, which sold more than $64,000 in products to county departments over the past 13 months.

“It never would have been a problem ... I just want to have it showed that it’s filed and have (potential critics) aware it’s filed so it will ease their mind. That’s why, whether I need it or not ... I’m going to file (the conflict disclosure form),” Parr said.

Parr, who attended his first commissioners meeting this morning, discussed the issue briefly and handed out copies of his disclosure form.

Parr’s opinion that filing the conflict disclosure wasn’t necessary is at odds with commissioners’ attorney Brad Burkett. Burkett, also serves as county prosecutor, said he believes the disclosure was necessary because the commissioners consider claims on a bi-weekly or monthly basis that almost always include an amount due to Parr’s office supply store.

A potential conflict in violation of Indiana Code could happen “if they’re acting on any claims involving his business,” said Burkett, who said he planned to raise the issue today if it was not addressed beforehand.

Burkett said this morning that “as soon as (the disclosure forms) get on file, he can sign all (claims).”

“I just don’t want anyone to get in any trouble,” Commissioners’ president Milo Miller Jr. said today.

According to Indiana Code 35-44-1-3, a public servant who has an interest in or derives a profit from a contract or purchase by the body he or she serves is guilty of conflict of interest, a class D felony, unless that conflict is disclosed on an official document. Parr mailed that document last week to the Indiana State Board of Accounts and also was required to file a copy with the Jay County clerk.

The form asks the public official to list the specific conflicts, and also includes options for single transaction conflicts or annual disclosure statements. Parr selected the annual disclosure option.

Over the past eight years, Jay County Commissioners have made few direct purchases from Progressive Office Products, which is just east of the courthouse across Court Street.

But purchases made by county department heads and elected officials can add up quickly. According to a review of claims on file in the Jay County Auditor’s Office, the county has purchased more than $64,000 from Progressive Office Products since January of 2004.

This afternoon, Commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer and Parr considered a lengthy list of claims that included a bill for $4,294.92 from Parr’s store. Fifteen county departments made purchases contributing to that bill. Because he has not received notice from the state board of accounts that his disclosure form has been filed, Parr was considering not signing today’s claims.

Last spring, before his primary victory over outgoing Commissioner Mike Leonhard, Parr estimated that county offices accounted for 1 to 2 percent of the store’s monthly gross sales. He said again last week that that estimate was accurate.

At least twice during his last month in office, Leonhard said he would be watching for potential conflicts involving Parr and his store.[[In-content Ad]]Their first meeting with a new member saw Jay County Commissioners elect the same officers as they’ve had the past several years.

Veteran Commissioners Milo Miller Jr. and Gary Theurer were re-elected as president and vice president this morning as incoming North District Commissioner Faron Parr attended his first meeting.

The commissioners also made several annual appointments, including re-appointing Jay King to a one-year term on the county Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Rick Hambrock to a five-year term on the Jay County Cemetery Commission.

Also this morning, the commissioners heard a proposal to rent a county-owned former auto dealership on West Main Street from a woman who wants to re-sell items she purchases at estate auctions.

Phyllis Williams, who recently moved to Portland, proposed paying $235 per month in rent plus utilities for the 2,000-square foot front portion of the building, which is located north of the Jay County Jail.

The commissioners had started with a monthly rental of $450 — a price Williams said she could not afford.

The commissioners planned to contact Williams this afternoon and continue the discussion.

Also this morning, the commissioners set Monday, Feb. 14, at 1:30 p.m. for the bid opening for a bridge reconstruction project. The project is on bridge 57, which is located on county road 500 North, just west of county road 450 East in Bearcreek Township.