§ 2-2-260. Procedure for disclosing certain information.

(a)

Employees or other persons who have information concerning the following categories are required to disclose that information to the Manatee County Administrator or the Manatee County Attorney:

(1)

Any violation or suspected violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule or regulation committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor which creates and presents a substantial and specific danger to the public's health, safety, or welfare.

(2)

Any act or suspected act of gross mismanagement, malfeasance, misfeasance, gross waste of public funds, suspected or actual Medicaid fraud or abuse, or gross neglect of duty committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor.

(b)

The information must be disclosed on the employee's or person's own initiative, be in writing, and be signed by the employee or person making the disclosure. Alternatively, the information may be disclosed to the internal audit department of the clerk of the circuit court directly in person, or by any other reporting mechanism established by the clerk, including any hotline.

(Ord. No. 04-35, § 1, 1-6-04)