(A) Introduction.
(1) ETHICS are principles of moral duty/right and wrong decisions that generally come into play when we are faced with a choice. These principles are related to the personal conduct of individuals and are the product of human traditions over thousands of years. When offered a gift from one of the town’s vendors, should you accept it or not? When asked by someone to reveal information from a customer’s records, should you go ahead and say “no”? Individuals make these choices, but the decisions they make reflect on the entire town.
(2) All employees of the town carry the town’s good name in their hands whenever they make a decision, and they make hundreds every day. From all these decisions, public and private, working values emerge. They show the public whether we deal fairly or play favorites; whether we take safety seriously or just pay it lip service; whether our work is good or whether it isn’t. Now more that ever, people are watching our conduct. They want to know what kind of town we are, how far we go to do the right thing, what value we place on principle. That’s why this Code of Ethics and Conduct was compiled, to guide you when you are faced with a choice. Constant attention to appropriate priorities and to the concept of ethical decision-making helps us make better decisions.
(3) Within groups and societies there are those who choose, at times, not to conform to the standard of ethical conduct which has been established. At the town, actions not living up to our established standards of ethical conduct are not tolerated. Appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including discharge and prosecution, will be exercised.
(4) Since almost every business has an element of ethics in it and since no written document can anticipate every situation, this one is designed to act as a general guide in those matters that most frequently create ethical problems or demand an ethical decision.
(5) If you feel that a situation could exist which is or could be in conflict with this Code of Ethics and Conduct, you should discuss it with your Town Council.
(6) The town’s employees should continue to strive for one standard of ethical conduct: the highest. Our ethics are ultimately determined by all of us as we do our daily jobs.
(B) Conflicts of interest.
(1) Generally. It is impractical to try to foresee or define every situation which might be considered a conflict of interest. Generally speaking, it is any situation which has the potential to adversely influence your judgment in carrying out your town duties. That is, at times, your personal interests may conflict with those of the town.
(2) General obligations. All employees of the town have an obligation to be free from any personal influences or conflicting interest when they represent the town or make any recommendations influencing the town’s actions. While the town respects the rights of employees to privacy in their personal activities and financial affairs, any situation which either are, or appear to be, in conflict with their responsibility to act in the best interest of the town must be avoided at all times.
(3) Financial interests. Conflicts with the interests of the town can arise when an employee or a dependent of any employee has a pecuniary interest in or derives from a contract or purchase connected with the town served by the employee. In such circumstances, the employee shall comply with I.C. 35-44.1-1-4 or be subject to conviction of the commission of a level 6 felony.
(4) Other employment. Any outside employment which prevents your giving full measure to your town duties is a conflict of interest. This is aside from any other possible financial conflict.
(5) Gifts, gratuities and entertainment. No employee shall solicit or accept any personal fees, gifts, favors or other remuneration in exchange for town business. Acceptance of articles of nominal value, such as used for sales, promotions, ordinary business lunches and reasonable entertainment consistent with local social and business custom, is not considered conflict.
(Ord. passed 3-1-2005; Ord. passed 1-21-2020)