(A) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the city that the proper operation of democratic government requires that city elected officials and members of boards and committees be independent, impartial and responsible only to the people of the city, that governmental decisions and policy should be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that no city elected official or member of any board, commission or committee should have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business, transaction or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature which is in conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest; that public offices are positions of public trust imposing the duty of a fiduciary upon all office holders, who are not to use their public position for personal gain, and that the public should have confidence in the integrity of its government. To implement such a policy, the City Council deems it advisable to enact this Code of Ethics and Conduct for all elected city officers and board and committee members, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, to serve not only as a guide for official conduct of the city’s public servants, but also as a basis for discipline for those who refuse to abide by its terms. The Code of Ethics and Conduct is cumulative of other ordinances, city charter provisions and state statutes defining and prohibiting conflict of interest.
(B) This Code of Ethics and Conduct is not intended to be nor shall it be used as a political weapon to intimidate or embarrass persons affected.
(Ord. 1466, passed 12-8-03; Am. Ord. OR-2182-20, passed 9-14-20)