(A) Ethics Officer Review. In the event that anyone has reason to believe that there has been non-compliance with this subchapter, said person shall give written notarized notice thereof to the Clerk- Treasurer in a sealed envelope and the Clerk-Treasurer shall
forward the envelope to the Ethics Officer. In the event that the subject of the non-compliance is the Town Manager, then the person submitting the notice shall address the envelope to the Town Council President. The Ethics Officer shall gather any and all available information on the complaint and provide the same to the Ethics Committee.
(B) Ethics Committee Review.
(1) The Ethics Officer shall inform the official or employee of the non-compliance complaint made and afford the official or employee an opportunity to explain in writing concerning the alleged non-compliance, which shall be forwarded to the Ethics Committee for review.
(2) When required, the Ethics Officer shall notify and convene the Ethics Committee to review any complaint and response thereto. The Ethics Committee may conduct investigations into the alleged non-compliance as the Ethics Committee deems appropriate.
(3) In the event that the Ethics Committee determines that an official or employee has violated this subchapter, the Ethics Committee shall:
(a) As to an official, consider the matter for appropriate discipline and/or corrective action, including, but not limited to removal subject to Indiana Statutes;
(b) As to an employee, refer the matter to the Town Manager or appropriate board or commission for notice, bearing and decision in accordance with the Town Personnel Policy Manual and applicable Indiana Statutes; and
(c) As to an official, employee or other person, take any other action as maybe required by the particular circumstances of the noncompliance, including but not limited to fines, penalties, removal from the position, public reprimands, or forwarding a complaint to the appropriate state or local agency for appropriate action on said violation.
(4) After determination of a violation or no violation, the Ethics Officer shall report the findings of the Ethics Committee to the Town Council and file such report in a file designated for such purposes.
(Ord. 896, passed 8-17-04)