No officer or employee of the city shall directly or indirectly through any other person or business, solicit or accept any gift having a fair market value of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, or any other form under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence or could reasonably be expected to influence the officer or employee in the performance of his public duties; provided, however, any such officer or employee who is a candidate for public office may accept campaign contributions and services in connection with such campaign. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the payment of reasonable actual out-of- pocket expenses for meals, lodging and travel incurred while on fact-finding or economic development trips.
(Ord. 94-32, passed 12-19-94)