(A) It is declared to be the policy of the City of Mount Pleasant that the proper operation of democratic government requires that:
(1) City officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible only to the people of the city;
(2) Governmental decisions and policies be made using the proper procedures of the governmental structure;
(3) No city official or employee have any interest, direct or indirect, nor engage in any business transaction or professional activity, nor incur any obligation of any nature which is in conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest;
(4) Public office not be used for personal gain;
(5) The City Council be maintained as a nonpartisan body;
(6) City officials and employees fully comply with state statutes and laws, as amended, concerning conflicts of interest.
(B) In furtherance of this policy, the City Council has determined that it is advisable to enact this Code of Ethics for all city officers, officials and employees, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, advisory or administrative, 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 and provisions.
(`87 Code, § 2-172) (Am. Ord. 1990-18, passed 11-6-90)