By Mark Holan, Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Hillsborough County commissioners gave preliminary approval Thursday to a new ethics policy that forbids them from accepting gifts but could pay each commissioner up to $625 per month for attending community and charity events.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the gift ban and have the county attorney update the lobbyist ordinance. Commissioners Kathy Castor and Ronda Storms voted against the so-called community involvement stipend.

"I don't want a stipend because I don't want to have to go to all these things," Storms said.

Castor urged the county's legal staff to expand the definition of lobbyist to include all those doing business with the county. She is running for Congress and leaving the board in November.

The proposed changes are being made in response to a similar law passed last month by the Florida Legislature. Tampa officials also are considering changes to their ethics rules.

County Administrator Pat Bean said she proposed the $625 monthly stipend based on the number of invitations and expenses she has every month. "I know that $625 a month sounds like a lot, but I spend $300 to $400 per month," Bean said.

Bean's annual salary is a little more than $200,000.

Commissioners are paid $88,919 per year plus a $300 per month car allowance. The stipend and other reforms will come back to commissioners for a final vote later.