A. The proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that government decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government.
B. Each official or employee of the City must be constantly on guard against conflicts of interest. No official or employee should be involved in any activity which might be seen as conflicting with his/her responsibilities to the City. The people of Reading have a right to expect that their representatives act with independence and fairness towards all groups and not favor a few individuals or themselves.
C. The following principles, although not representing substantive rights, are fundamental driving forces for officials and employees of the City of Reading in everything they do.
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(1) Public office as a public trust. Public servants should treat their office as a public trust, only using the powers and resources of public office to advance public interests and not to attain personal benefits or pursue any other private interest incompatible with the public good.
(2) Independent objective judgment. Public servants should employ independent objective judgment in performing their duties, deciding all matters on the merits, free from avoidable conflicts of interest and both real and apparent improper influences.
(3) Accountability and democratic leadership. Public servants should honor and respect the principles and spirit of representative democracy and set a positive example of good citizenship by scrupulously observing the letter and spirit of laws and rules. [Amended 5-28-2013 by Ord. No. 28-201318]
(4) Respectability and fitness for public office. Public servants should safeguard public confidence in the integrity of government by being honest, fair, caring and respectful and by avoiding conduct creating the appearance of impropriety or which is otherwise unbefitting a public official.
D. In recognition of these aforementioned goals and principles, there is hereby established a Code of Ethics to be administered by the Board of Ethics. The purpose of this code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for all officials and employees of the City of Reading, its agencies and authorities, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, by providing guidelines to clarify actions or inactions which are incompatible with the best interests of the City and by directing disclosure of private, financial or other interests in matters affecting the City. The provisions and purpose of this code and such rules, regulations, opinions and disciplinary decisions as may be promulgated by the Board pursuant hereto, interest of the City.
17. Note: Josephson Institute for the Advancement of Ethics, Preserving the Public Trust, 1990.
18. Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection C(4), Democratic leadership [See now Subsection C(3)], and redesignated former Subsection C(5) as Subsection C(4).