Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Washington
Gifting of public funds
A Fire District in Pacific County Washington recently purchased ten acre's of land with a double wide mobile home on it. Of course the money used to buy the property came from the tax payers. My Question is this? Is it legal for the Fire Chief to Live There Rent free? I believe that him living in a publically owned building for free is not right. A public employee once told me that a public agency has to be very careful on how it spends its money. I am sure that a public agency has to be very careful of how they spend there money. It seems to me that the local governing body of the fire Chief is giving him a free place to live in a building bought by my tax dollars in addition to his fat salary! This Same Chief also uses a Vehicle owned by the county for personal reasons, putting lots of miles on this vehicle and buying lots of gas with a county gas card. Is that Legal? I am sure he has permission to use this building and vehicle from his supervisors but does that make what he is doing Legal?
Thank You, concerned citizen.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Gifting of public funds
It is legal if it is approved of by the governing body. Housing is clearly an employment benefit in addition to salary, as is a free vehicle. However, the governing body may chose to provide a benefit package which includes housing if it wishes, and it may be required to do so to retain the services of a long-time employee.
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