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1. Why is Form 700 so important?

The Political Reform Act of 1974 (Act) states, Assets, and income of public officials which may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances, the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided. The Act further states, Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interest of persons who have supported them.

The Form 700 alerts public officials about their own economic interests and potential areas of conflict in relation to their duties and provides information to members of the public who may monitor official actions for any conflicts.

2. Who must file a Form 700?

Any officer or employee of the City of Coalinga who holds a position designated in the Conflict of Interest Code is required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) to disclose information as required by the disclosure category. This includes members of boards and commissions, department heads and other designated employees.

Government Code Section 87200 filers include, but are not limited to:

• Chief administrative officers
• City attorneys
• City managers
• City treasurers
• Mayors
• Members of city councils of cities
• Members of planning commissions
• Other public officials who manage public investments and candidates for any of these offices at any election

3. When do you file a Form 700?

Assuming Office

If you are assuming office, you must file an Assuming Office Statement within 30 days of the date that you were sworn in or the first date that you began service, whichever is earlier. You must report financial interests that you had during the 12 months prior to the assuming office date. For example, a new Planning Commissioner with an assuming office date of September 5, 2013 must report financial interests that he or she held during the period of September 6, 2012 through September 5, 2013.

Any filer who assumes office between October 1, and December 31, and filed an Assuming Office Statement does not need to file an Annual Statement until the following annual April 1st deadline. For example, a newly appointed Planning Commissioner assumed office on October 15, 2013, and filed an Assuming Office Statement does not need to file an Annual Statement on April 1, 2014. Instead, the newly appointed Commissioner will not file an Annual Statement until April 1, 2015 which shall cover the period from October 16, 2013 through December 31, 2014.

Leaving Office

If you are leaving office, you must file a Leaving Office Statement within 30 days of your leaving date. The filing period shall cover the day after the filing period of your last Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) through your leaving office date. For example, if you filed an Annual Statement covering the period from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 and left office on August 10, 2013, the filing period on your Leaving Office Statement would be January 1, 2013 through August 10, 2013.

Statement Filing Deadlines

Type of Statement	Period Covers	Filing Deadline
Annual	January 1 to December 31 of the prior year	April 1
Assuming Office	Date of assuming office and 12 months prior to the assuming office date	File within 30 days of assuming office date
Leaving Office	January 1 of the current year through the leaving office date	File within 30 days of leaving office date

Filers who moved from one designated position to another designated position, or those who have been re-elected, are not required to file a Leaving Office and Assuming Office Statement as long as there was not a break in service of 30 days or more. The filer shall simply continue to file Annual Statements.

4. Where do you file Form 700s?

In Coalinga all Form 700 filers shall file their Statements with the Deputy City Clerk, acting as the City’s Filing Officer. Original Form 700s for the following positions shall be forwarded to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) no later than April 1st of each year. Other designated filers covered under the City’s Conflict of Interest Code shall be filed and maintained in the office of the Deputy City Clerk.