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Hrrcivvix H: Hnnuai uisciosure btatement
<br />To read the foreword and introduction to this Model Code, click here.
<br />To discuss the Model Ethics Code Project itself, click here.
<br />To discuss municipal ethics codes in general - their value, necessity, and role in ethics programs - click here.
<br />To discuss problems and solution with respect to getting ethics codes passed or improved, click here.
<br />Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Obligations
<br />To discuss declarations of policy, click here.
<br />The proper operation of our city's government requires that public officials and employees act as public servants: courteous,
<br />impartial, honest, open, and responsible to the city's residents; that they act as fiduciaries entrusted with and responsible for t e
<br />property and resources of the community; that they make governmental decisions and policies in the proper channels of the
<br />government structure, free of coercive or other improper influence; and that they use their office and employment in the best
<br />interests of the city rather than for personal interests, whether their own interests or those of their family, friends, or business nd
<br />political associates.
<br />It is central to gaining and retaining the public's trust in our city's government that public servants seek to avoid even the
<br />appearance of impropriety. Fulfilling one's role as public servant sometimes means sacrificing rather than gaining opportunitie.
<br />This code focuses on conflicts of interest, which affect the decisions of government officials and employees in ways that are u faii
<br />both to the community and to individuals and entities who lack special relationships with our city's officials. When public serva ts
<br />make decisions that are not or do not appear to be impartial, this seriously undermines public confidence in government.
<br />While the vast majority of municipal officials are well-meaning, being well-meaning is not enough. It is important that officials
<br />understand the conflicts they confront every day, appreciate their fiduciary obligations to city residents, and recognize the
<br />importance of preventing conflicts from occurring, disclosing conflicts when they arise, and withdrawing from any involvement in a
<br />matter where they have a conHict (recusing themselves).
<br />Nothing is more important to public trust than having public servants err on the side of disclosing every possible conflict and
<br />recusing themselves even where they feel certain they can act impartially.
<br />The purposes of this ethics code are:
<br />(a) To establish standards of ethical conduct - especially those dealing with conflicts between personal interests and those of he
<br />city - for city officials, employees, consultants, candidates, and those who do business with the city;
<br />(b) To provide clear guidance with respect to such standards by clarifying which acts are allowed and which are not;
<br />(c) To promote public confidence in the integrity of our city's governance and administration;
<br />(d) To provide for the consideration of potential ethical problems before they arise, to minimize unwarranted suspicion and to
<br />enhance the accountability of our city's government to city residents; and
<br />(e) To provide for the fair and effective administration and enforcement of this code.
<br />There is more to ethical conduct than what is covered by this code, which consists primarily of enforceable rules about conflic s o
<br />interest. The city must also provide a healthy ethical environment with positive means of encouraging ethical behavior among its
<br />public servants. And individuals - especially community leaders - must commit themselves to thinking and acting ethically.
<br />Ethical conduct depends on thinking about one's acts not in terms of what is politically popular, best for oneself and one's
<br />colleagues, or even most effective and efficient, but in terms of what is in the best interests of the city. Ethics is not just about
<br />enforceable rules, but also about democratic ideals and aspirational goals. Central to ethical action is respect for city resident
<br />(treating them as ends rather than as means) as well as self-respect (integrity, expecting the best of oneself).
<br />There are expectations placed on those who govern and administer our city's government, there are values to which our city'
<br />officials and employees aspire, and there are obligations that our city's officials and employees accept when they take their j bs or
<br />offices. This is especially true of elected officials and department heads, because they have accepted more responsibility for he
<br />decisions that are made.
<br />The American Society for Public Administration's (ASPA) Code of Ethics is an excellent list of a government administrator's
<br />obligations, based on values rather than job description. These are the obligations our government leaders should be reinfor ing
<br />and to which individuals should be committing themselves. The ASPA Code is especially valuable because it is not the work f
<br />ethics specialists, but of government administrators themselves. These obligations will not be enforced by the Ethics Commi sion,
<br />because they are difficult to define concretely enough so that they can be enforced.* However, these values and obligations
<br />should be expected and aspired to in our city. Anyone who has questions about these values and obligations may seek
<br />clarification from the Ethics Commission as to how they apply them to specific situations.
<br />* Note that the ASPA code is intended for unelected administrators, so that the provision requiring nonpartisanship should n t be
<br />applied to elected officials who belong to political parties. On the other hand, the most basic conflict of interest in governmen
<br />(accepted as it is by our democratic process) is between the public interest and the interest of elected officials in getting re-
<br />elected.
<br />To discuss aspirational ethics codes, click here.
<br />1. Serve the Public Interest
<br />Exercise discretionary authority to promote the public interest.
<br />Oppose all forms of discrimination and harassment, and promote affirmative action.
<br />Recognize and support the public's right to know the public's business.
<br />Involve citizens in policy decision-making.
<br />Exercise compassion, benevolence, fairness, and optimism.
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