§ 38.12 DUTIES OF THE CITY CLERK.

   The City Clerk shall examine all disclosure statements filed pursuant to this chapter and report irregularities immediately to the person filing the statement to the City Manager and the City Attorney. Acceptance of a statement by the City Clerk shall not constitute approval of the statement. The City Clerk shall maintain a current list of all disclosure statements required to be available for public disclosure. The City Clerk shall preserve all disclosure statements for at least three years after the date on which they are filed. The City Clerk shall make available to the public all statements that are required to be available for inspection during regular business hours.

(Ord. 680-10-14, passed 10-6-14)

§ 38.13 REQUEST FOR OPINION FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY.

   Any public servant may request that the City Attorney provide an advisory opinion interpreting the effect or application of this chapter generally, or on questions directly relating to the propriety of their conduct in a particular situation.

(Ord. 680-10-14, passed 10-6-14)

§ 38.14 DELIVERY OF COPIES OF ETHICS POLICY ORDINANCE TO PUBLIC SERVANTS.

   The City Clerk shall deliver a copy of this chapter to each public servant as soon as practicable after the enactment of this chapter, and to each new public servant at the time of employment or taking office. The City Clerk shall request that each such person sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt of a copy of this chapter.

(Ord. 680-10-14, passed 10-6-14)

§ 38.15 INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF VIOLATIONS.

   (A)   Alleged violations of § 38.10 shall be reported to, and investigated by, the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, except when the person or persons investigated work within the Department of Public Safety, then another law enforcement department or agency shall be asked to investigate.

   (B)   Alleged violations of § 38.10 shall be authorized and prosecuted by the Big Rapids City Attorney, except when the person or persons alleged to have violated § 38.10 work within the Department of Law, then a special City attorney from outside the Department of Law shall be appointed by the City Commission to authorize and prosecute the alleged violations.

   (C)   The Big Rapids City Attorney and a special City attorney appointed by the City Commission pursuant to division (B) above, may decline to prosecute an alleged violation of § 38.10 after an alleged violator of § 38.10 resigns from any and all offices and positions with the City of Big Rapids.

(Ord. 680-10-14, passed 10-6-14)

§ 38.16 VIOLATION OF CHAPTER.

   The violation of any provision of § 38.10 shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by a sentence of 90 days in jail, or both, in the discretion of the Court. The penalty or penalties imposed are not exclusive remedies under this chapter and any and all statutory and Charter penalties or forfeitures may also be enforced. Any person convicted under a provision of § 38.10 shall be deemed guilty of misconduct in office. The violation of any provision of this chapter other than § 38.10 shall be a municipal civil infraction.

(Ord. 680-10-14, passed 10-6-14)