Periodic audits can help elected officials and agency managers make sure that public resources are properly used.  Audits of agency functions are a way local agencies can underscore their commitment to ethics and ensure that any misuse of public resources is detected and investigated. 

Even though California has an extensive set of ethics laws to guide public officials’ behavior, local agencies sometimes find it helpful to adopt their own codes of ethics.  As the materials in this section explain, such codes have a variety of functions.

Some local agencies impose disclosure requirements and other restrictions on those who are paid to influence local agency decision-makers.  Such regulations are another option local agencies have for increasing public trust and confidence in the decision-making process.