High moral and ethical standards among public officials and public employees are essential to gain and maintain the confidence of the public because such confidence is essential to the conduct of free government. Public officials and public employees are agents of the people and hold their positions for the benefit of the people. The proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials and employees be independent and impartial when establishing policy and that their positions never be used for personal gain. A code of ethical conduct is necessary for the guidance of public officials where conflicts do occur as well as to prevent conflicts of interest. (Ord. 234, 12-20-2016; amd. Ord. 234A, 2-22-2021)