A. It is imperative that all persons acting in the public service not only maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct in their transaction of public business, and that such standards be clearly defined and known to the public as well as to the persons acting in public service.
B. The proper operation of a democratic government requires that public officials be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people. Governmental decisions and policies must be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure. Public office may not be used for personal gain. Citizens must have confidence in the integrity of their government officials.
C. Employees and contracted staff of the City must also be held to the highest ethical standards, but the standards established for them should be contained within the City's Employee Manual and/or individual contracts.
D. In recognition of these goals, there is hereby established a Code of Ethics for the City's elected and appointed public officials. The purpose of this Code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for such persons by prohibiting acts which are incompatible with the City's best interests, and to demonstrate to the public the City's commitment to hold said public officials to the highest possible standard of conduct. The provisions and purpose of this Code are declared to be in the best interests of the City. (Prior Code § 2-1-1)