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In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency: · Describe the essential components of public administration and its role in contemporary society Scenario Taggart County in Florida has a regular population of over 150,000, an annual operating budget of over $650 million, and a capital improvement project budget of over $175 million. Regular infrastructure projects in Taggart are funded through the operating budget and through the capital improvement project budget, which is adopted each year by the county commission. Over the last year, the county government has undertaken a project to repair and replace 10 miles of sidewalks in the underserved, unincorporated community of Bluebird.

The 500-home community of Bluebird is made up of primarily African American homeowners and renters, many who have lived there most of their lives. Sixty-five percent of families are female-led, and the median household income is $32,000 for a family of four, which is roughly half the area median income (AMI) of $60,000. A little over a year ago, there was an accident in which a 10-year-old girl was riding her bicycle on the sidewalks and was severely injured as a result of the uneven, hazardous pavement. Brookes Brothers Concrete Company was a leading advocate for the replacement of the sidewalks in the community. In fact, Brookes Brothers lobbyists privately brought the issue of crumbling sidewalks to the attention of a county commissioner named Harold Winter outside of a meeting given proper notice as required by law.

Winter had previously worked at the Brookes Brothers company, and it was later found out that their communications were not properly documented. While there was never mention of corruption rising to the level of a corporate kickback, there were verifiable issues with communications that took place outside of what is permitted by law for lobbyists and elected local government officials. In the yearly budget, only $12 million for sidewalk repairs had been allocated for the entire county, so the absolute most that could be spent on Bluebird without compromising the county’s ability to pay for maintenance and repairs in other places was estimated by the department of budget and financial services at $3 million.

Ultimately, Brookes Brothers won the contract by submitting a bid of $2.5 million for the work to be completed within nine months. However, it has become clear that Brookes Brothers underbid the project in order to win the contract. They have been submitting substantial overage fees that are drawing near to the maximum budget of $3 million. The work is significantly behind schedule at just over a year, which has made it increasingly seen as a real disruption to community life, instead of a beneficial public works project. Public disapproval of the project has reached a peak due to a recent investigative report from local media implying that the project is a result of backroom dealing on the part of the Commissioner Winter and Brookes Brothers.

In response, the county manager has promised to open an internal investigation to determine whether there was in fact wrongdoing, as well as to identify strategies for getting the project back on track. Directions As the assistant county manager of budget and audit, you have been appointed by the county manager to conduct the investigation and author a report documenting your findings. Specifically, she has asked that you evaluate the following aspects: In your memo, be sure to address the following topics: 1. Background: Describe the various political, social, economic, and cultural variables that impacted the decision to requisition the work. In other words, defend the legitimacy of the project. To what extent does this project reflect a genuine need? What would be the potential risks to social equity if the project were to end prior to completing the work? 2. Analysis: Identify the rules and codes of conduct that are relevant to the case using the provided reference case materials, and discuss their significance. Be sure to address the following: a. Illustrate the appropriate role of public administrators in influencing the development of public policy. Where are the relevant lines drawn between appropriate advocacy and inappropriate manipulation within public bureaucracy? b. Explain the lobbying and procurement process in your county. What are the key regulations and ethical expectations of public administrators that apply to this case? How do these rules more generally reflect the need for accountability in public agencies? 3. Assessment: Evaluate the extent to which wrongdoing or unethical behavior was present in this case, including the following: a. Address the issue of backroom dealing between Commissioner Winter and the Brookes Brothers company. In other words, to what extent were government accountability and transparency regulations infringed? b. Evaluate the role of public-private partnerships when addressing the service demands of the community. In other words, to what extent has Brookes Brothers and the Taggart County government lived up to their respective, established norms and expectations for public-private partnerships? 4. Recommendations: Articulate your suggestions for remediating any ethical concerns regarding this case, including identifying the various department heads that should be involved to reinforce codes of conduct and organizational practice moving forward. What to Submit Every project has a deliverable or deliverables, which are the files that must be submitted before your project can be assessed. For this project, you must submit the following: Sidewalk Project Ethics Report Your report should defend the legitimacy of the sidewalk project as well as assess the extent to which wrongdoing took place. You should also end your report with recommendations for remediating any ethical concerns and supporting the successful completion of the project. Your report should be 1,250 to 1,750 words in length and appropriately cite all references.

Paper For Above instruction

The case of the sidewalk replacement project in Bluebird, Taggart County, exemplifies the complex interplay of political, social, economic, and cultural variables that influence public infrastructure decisions and their legitimacy. This project, driven by multiple layers of community need and political influence, underscores the importance of understanding the multifaceted context within which public administration operates. It is essential to analyze these variables to justify the project's legitimacy and to evaluate the ethical implications of conduct surrounding its procurement and implementation.

From a political perspective, the advocacy by Brookes Brothers for sidewalk replacement highlights how local economic interests can shape public policy through lobbying. The involvement of Commissioner Winter, a former associate of Brookes Brothers, raises questions about conflicts of interest and the influence of private entities on public officials. Social variables, such as the community’s demographics and socio-economic vulnerabilities, particularly the fact that Bluebird is predominantly African American with median incomes well below the AMI, amplify the urgency for equitable infrastructure investment. Such disparities often attract political attention because they spotlight systemic inequalities in access to public services, which underscores the ongoing social justice concerns inherent in urban development projects.

Economically, the limited budget allocated to sidewalk repairs underscores resource constraints faced by local governments. The $12 million annual budget for sidewalk repairs across the county indicates scarcity of funding, which heightens competition among communities, especially underserved areas like Bluebird. The overbid by Brookes Brothers and the subsequent overruns indicate how economic pressures can incentivize unethical behavior, such as underbidding contracts to secure work and then seeking additional funds through overages, compromising transparency and accountability.

Culturally, the community's composition and historical marginalization influence the perceived legitimacy of the project. The community’s longstanding residence and the recent injury incident have underscored the critical need for repair and safety improvements, framing the project as a bona fide public necessity. However, accusations of backroom dealings cast doubt on whether the project’s initiation and execution genuinely serve community interests or are driven by corrupt practices that undermine public trust.

In terms of relevance, the project genuinely reflects a need for improved infrastructure to ensure community safety, equity, and quality of life. The accident involving the young girl highlights the tangible risks posed by hazardous pavements, emphasizing the social equity concern that underserved communities often lack adequate maintenance of public facilities. If the project were prematurely halted due to unethical conduct or political controversy, these vulnerable populations could suffer from deteriorating infrastructure, perpetuating social disparities and risking further injuries or accidents.

Analysis of Rules, Conduct, and Ethical Frameworks

Public administrators operate within a framework of rules and codes of conduct designed to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability. Relevant regulations include procurement laws that mandate transparency in bidding processes and lobbying rules that restrict unofficial influence. These regulations aim to prevent undue influence or corruption, ensuring that public resources are used ethically and efficiently.

The role of public administrators, therefore, extends beyond administrative tasks to actively influencing policy development through advocacy within legal and ethical boundaries. Proper advocacy involves providing objective analysis, expert advice, and ensuring that policies serve the public interest, rather than personal or private gains. Conversely, inappropriate manipulation, such as covert influence or undisclosed lobbying, undermines the integrity of administrative processes and erodes public trust.

The lobbying and procurement process in Taggart County is governed by both federal and local statutes emphasizing transparency and fairness. For example, bid procedures typically require open advertising and equal opportunity for all qualified bidders. Ethical expectations for public administrators include avoiding conflicts of interest, ensuring fair competition, and maintaining documentation of communications related to procurement. These rules embody principles of accountability, enabling oversight and preventing favoritism or corruption.

Assessment of Ethical Behavior and Transparency

Evidence from the case suggests that some ethical boundaries were compromised, notably through the involvement of Commissioner Winter with Brookes Brothers. The unrecorded communications outside formal channels point to potential violations of transparency and accountability standards, particularly in the context of influence peddling and potential favoritism. Although there is no conclusive evidence of criminal kickbacks, the circumstantial evidence of improper lobbying and the conflict of interest cast doubt on the fairness of the procurement process.

The backroom dealings imply a breach of ethical governance, as public officials are obliged to conduct themselves transparently and disclose conflicts of interest. Such conduct undermines public confidence and hinders the effective oversight of public projects. Conversely, the partnership between the government and private entity has the potential to be productive if conducted ethically, emphasizing the importance of adhering to norms that foster trust, fairness, and community-oriented service.

Recommendations for Ethical Remediation and Organizational Practice

To address the ethical concerns identified, it is critical to reinforce strict adherence to procurement laws, lobbying regulations, and conflict of interest policies. Specific recommendations include conducting a comprehensive review of all communications and interactions related to the sidewalk project, establishing clear guidelines for official conduct, and enhancing oversight mechanisms within the county’s departments of public works and ethics.

Involving key department heads—such as the county attorney, the ethics officer, the department of public works, and the procurement division—is essential to ensure compliance and foster a culture of integrity. Training programs on ethical standards, transparency, and conflict management should be implemented for all relevant personnel. Additionally, establishing an independent oversight committee could provide ongoing monitoring and accountability in future projects.

Finally, to restore public trust, the county should consider publicly disclosing the findings of the internal investigation, reaffirming commitments to ethical governance, and involving community stakeholders in decision-making processes. Such measures would support the project's completion while safeguarding procedural integrity and fostering equitable service delivery.

References

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• Crutchfield, L. R., & Grant, H. M. (2012). The social sector cleaning house: What counts as effective social service delivery? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 41(4), 644-661.
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• Niskala, M., & Laine, M. (2021). Managing public-private partnerships for social equity. Journal of Public Policy, 41(1), 125-140.
• Rohr, J. A. (2013). Outsiders and insiders: The politics of engagement in public-private partnerships. Governance, 26(2), 305-322.
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