(A) Interest prohibited. No official or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall engage in any business or transaction or shall act in regard to financial or other personal interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of their official duties in the public interest contrary to the provisions of this chapter or would tend to impair their independence of judgment or action in the performance of their official duties.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FINANCIAL INTEREST. Any interest which shall yield, directly or indirectly, a monetary or other material benefit to the officer or employee or to any person employing or retaining the services of the officer or employee.
PERSONAL INTEREST. Any interest arising from blood or marriage relationships or from close business or political associations, whether or not any financial interest is involved.
(C) Specific conflicts enumerated.
(1) Incompatible employment. No official or employee shall engage in or accept private employment or render service for private interest, when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of their official duties or would tend to impair their independence of judgment or action in the performance of their official duties, unless otherwise permitted by law and unless disclosure is made as hereinafter provided.
(2) Disclosure of confidential information. No official or employee shall, without proper legal authorization, disclose confidential information concerning the property, government, or affairs of the village, nor shall they use such information to advance the financial or other private interest of themselves or others.
(3) Gifts and favors of more than $25. No official or employee shall accept any one gift with a value of more than $25, whether in the form of service, loan, thing or promise from any if such person:
(a) Has or is seeking to obtain a contractual or other business or financial relationship with the village or the Board;
(b) Conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the village or the Board; or
(c) Has interests which may be substantially affected by the village or the Board.
(4) Gifts and favors of more than $100. No official or employee shall accept such gifts having an aggregate value of more than $100 in any calendar year from any person if such person:
(a) Has or is seeking to obtain a contractual or other business or financial relationship with the village or the Board;
(b) Conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the village of the Board; or
(c) Has interests which may be substantially affected by the village or the Board.
(5) Influential gifts and favors. No official or employee shall accept any gift, favor or thing of value that may tend to influence them in the discharge of their duties, or grant in the discharge of their duties any improper favor, service or thing of value.
(6) Specific exemptions. Modest ceremonial events, such as, ground breaking, grand openings as well as business lunches, outings and conferences shall be exempt, provided that the value does not exceed the value in subsection (4). Mementos such as coffee, coffee cups, candy provided the value is less than the value in subsection (3) and that distribution is of a general nature.
(7) Referring gifts received to Ethics Board. Gifts received under unusual circumstances should be referred to the Ethics Board within ten days for recommended disposition.
(8) Representing private interests before village agencies or courts. No officer or employee shall appear on behalf of any private person, other than himself/herself, his/her spouse or minor children, before any village agency or municipal court. However, a member of the Village Board may appear before village agencies on behalf of their constituents in the course of their duties as a representative of the electorate or in the performance of public or civic obligations.
(Ord. passed - -)