(A) This chapter shall be referred to as the Ethics Code of the city.
(B) The purpose of this chapter is to set clear and high ethical standards for the official conduct of elected officials, appointees, and contract employees of city government and persons who have a business relationship with city or government so that the public will have confidence that the conduct of city business is always conducive to the public good.
(C) Public confidence in the integrity of government is essential to the exercise of good government. Accordingly, those persons under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Code should be committed to the following goals:
(1) Duties should be carried out impartially;
(2) Decisions and policy should not be made outside of proper channels of city government;
(3) Public office should not be used for private gain; and
(4) Actions, transactions, or involvements that have the potential to become a conflict of interest should not be performed or engaged in.
(D) This chapter is not meant to unduly restrict or limit the behavior of the elected officials, appointees, or contract employees during the time when they are not on duty. Each Council member, elected official, appointee, or contract employee retains lawful rights and privileges as a private citizen to interests of a personal or private financial nature. These rights and privileges will be honored to the extent that they are compatible with an individual's elected office, appointed position, or contracted employment.
(Ord. 10-2019, passed 8-5-19)