Arkansas Code Ann. § 20-76-108, as amended by Section 9(a)(4) of Arkansas Act 1567 of 1999, addresses potential conflicts of interest by Board members. It specifically prohibits any member of the Local TEA Coalition Board from voting on any matter regarding the provision of services which would provide a direct financial benefit to the member, his or her immediate family, or employer. It also specifies that local TEA Coalition Boards shall not engage in any activities which would constitute a conflict of interest under any federal, state, or municipal law.
To ensure that local TEA Coalition activities are operated in compliance with this prohibition against conflicts of interest, the following policy is established.
[GREATER THAN] No member of the decision-making body for TEA funds shall vote on a matter under consideration by that body regarding the provision of services by the member that would provide direct financial benefit to the member or the immediate family of the member, or an organization that employs the member.
[GREATER THAN] The local TEA Coalition fiscal agent may not be a service provider paid by the Coalition.
[GREATER THAN] The Coalition's fiscal agent may not serve as the Chairperson of the decisionmaking body for TEA funds.
[GREATER THAN] The Chair of the decision-making body for TEA funds may not be a service provider paid by the Coalition nor the Coalition's fiscal agent.
The intent of this policy is to prevent any real or perceived conflicts of interest among fiscal agents and the local decision-making bodies and the provision of services contracted for by the TEA coalitions. In addition to the above restrictions, any other potential conflicts of interest are to be avoided.
016.20.00 Ark. Code R. 017