(A) It is the obligation of every elected and appointed town official and employee to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of North Carolina.
(B) Laws of the nation, state and municipality shall be impartially administered. No town official or employee shall grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage to any citizen beyond that which is available to every other citizen except by due process of law.
(C) Every citizen shall receive a fair and impartial hearing on any matter coming before the Town Council, its appointed agencies or any employee of the city. No town official or employee shall make any promise or pledge to any person concerning any matter to be heard before such town official or employee except upon fair, impartial and final hearing thereof.
(D) The conduct of town business shall be free of any hidden personal or financial interest of any town official or employee. No town official or employee shall advocate in any public meeting or private discussion incident thereto any matter in which he has a personal or financial interest except upon full and timely disclosure of such interest.
(E) It is the obligation of every town official to faithfully discharge the duties of his office. In the conduct of town business, no town official shall be excused from voting except on matters involving consideration of his own official conduct, or where his financial interests are involved. Every town official shall make full and timely disclosure of any personal or financial interest which he has in any matter of business to be transacted before him.
(F) The conduct of town business shall be free of any influence arising from gifts, favors or special privileges. It is the obligation of every town official and employee to refuse personal gifts, favors or special privileges in every instance where such town official or employee reasonably believes such gift, favor or special privilege would not have been extended but for the position of such town official or employee, or where there exists a reasonable belief that the giver's interests are likely to be affected by the actions of such town official or employee, or where the gift is or may reasonably be considered to be designed to influence the actions of such town official or employee. No town official or employee shall seek personal or financial advantage by means of his office, appointment or employment.
(G) The use of public trust for private gain is forbidden in government. No town official or employee shall violate the provisions of G.S. § 14- 234. No town official or employee shall use confidential or advance information obtained by virtue of his or her office, appointment or employment for personal or financial advantage.
(H) It is the obligation of every elected and appointed town official and employee to carry out the lawful orders and policies of the Council. No town official or employee shall knowingly take any action inconsistent with the lawful orders or policies established by the council. No town official or employee shall knowingly take any action which would be detrimental to the best interests of the town.
(I) Penalties for violation of this code will be determined by the Town Council as covered within the General Statutes.
(J) All suspected violations must be submitted in writing to the Town Clerk for review by the Mayor and Town Council. If action is needed, a hearing will be scheduled. The town official or employee who is charged with the violation shall have the right to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, including the complainant or complainants, and be represented by counsel at the hearing. If, after such hearing and a review of all the violation of this ordinance has occurred, they shall take whatever lawful disciplinary action they deem appropriate, including but not limited to, reprimand, suspension, demotion or termination of service.
(Ord., passed 11-12-79)