That's the directive from a Salt Lake County ethics committee, whose members have crafted new reform rules for officials of Utah's most populous county.

Three proposed ordinance changes that tighten - or strike - the language on existing laws will be presented to the County Council today:

l Reduce to $20 from $50 the value county officials may accept in "gifts."

l Outlaw the practice of county officials hiring their own relatives or influencing the hiring process.

l Restrict candidates from using county resources, such as phones and computers, when running for election.

Councilwoman Jenny Wilson acknowledges the reforms are not radical but should provide "absolute" clarification. She, along with two other council members, spent much of the past four months honing what are the first three of a dozen planned ethics changes.

"The intent on all of these was to have a much more open process, both with the community and with the council," Wilson said Monday.

Still, fellow Councilman Mark Crockett says they could go further.

"Ethics rules will be best when they are simple, black and white, and have enough teeth that it's easy for people to follow them," he said.

If approved - the council could vote today - the so-called gifts ban would slice for county employees the amount state lawmakers may accept by more than half. The idea is to eliminate handouts of Utah Jazz or even Real Salt Lake game tickets, while not preventing Mayor Peter Corroon, for instance, from taking a bottle of water during a special function.

"We didn't want to be tripping all over ourselves," Wilson said, "but just allow for the normal course of business."

Nepotism limits have been discussed since the administration changed hands in January. Then, this spring, some county officials were criticized for hiring relatives, even though the custom has a long history at the county.

The new rule would prevent officials from hiring their family members in regular county hires, but still would allow for relatives to be hired as seasonal employees.

A third reform tightens the use of county office equipment, making it hands-off for officials on the campaign stump. While using a personal laptop or cell phone at the County Government Complex is OK, candidates would be restricted from using county resources for political pitches.

Councilman Joe Hatch says he supports both the tone and substance of all three reforms.

"It strikes the appropriate balance."

In other county news, the council may vote today on whether to outlaw its employees from talking on county-issued cell phones while driving. Critics worry the rule is unenforceable, but Corroon supports the ban, calling it a public-safety issue.

djensen@sltrib.com