For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“BOARD OF ETHICS.” The City of St Matthews Board of Ethics which is created and vested by this chapter with the responsibility of enforcing the requirements of the city’s code of ethics.
“BUSINESS.” Any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual, holding company, joint stock company, receivership, trust, professional service corporation, or any legal entity through which business is conducted for profit.
“CANDIDATE.” Any individual who seeks nomination or election to a city office. An individual is a “CANDIDATE” when the individual files a notification and declaration for nomination for office with the County Clerk or Secretary of State, or is nominated for office by a political party, or files a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the County Clerk or Secretary of State.
“CITY.” The City of St. Matthews, Kentucky.
“CITY AGENCY.” Any board, commission, authority, nonstock corporation, or other entity created, either individually or jointly, by this city.
“CITY BUSINESS.” Any discussion of specific city issues that go beyond general information.
“CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.” Information obtained in the course of holding public office or employment, or as a contractor to the city, which is not available to members of the public and which the officer or employee is not authorized to disclose, except to designated individuals or bodies, including written and non-written information. When such information is also available through channels open to the public, officers and employees are not prohibited from disclosing the availability of those channels.
“CONSULTANT.” An independent contractor or professional person, or entity engaged by the city or advising a city officer, and in a position to influence a city decision or action or have access to confidential information.
“CUSTOMER or CLIENT.” Any person or entity to which a person or entity has supplied goods or services during the previous twenty-four (24) months, having a total value greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any person or entity to which an officer or employee’s outside employer or business has supplied goods or services during the previous twenty-four (24) months, having a total value greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000), but only if the officer or employee knows or has reason to know the outside employer or business supplied the goods or services.
“DOMESTIC PARTNER.” An adult, unrelated by blood, with which an unmarried or separated officer or employee has an exclusive committed relationship, maintains a mutual residence, and shares basic living expenses.
“EMPLOYEE.” Any person, whether full-time or part-time, and whether paid or unpaid, who is employed by or provides service to the city. The term “EMPLOYEE” shall not include any contractor or subcontractor or any of their employees.
“FAMILY-MEMBER." A spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, step-child, brother, sister, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent or grandchild.
“FINANCIAL BENEFIT.” Any money, service, license, permit, contract, authorization, loan, discount, travel, entertainment, hospitality, gratuity, or any promise of any of these, or anything else of value. This term does not include campaign contributions authorized by law.
“FINANCIAL INTEREST.” A relationship to something that a direct or indirect financial benefit has been, will be, or might be received because of it.
“HOUSEHOLD.” Anyone whose primary residence is in the officer’s or employee’s home, including nonrelatives who are not rent payers or staff.
“IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER.” A spouse, domestic partner, an unemancipated child, residing in the officer’s or employee's household, or a person claimed by the officer or employee, or the officer's or employee's spouse, as a dependent for tax purposes.
“OFFICER.” Any person, whether full-time or part-time, and whether paid or unpaid, who is one of the following:
(1) The Mayor.
(2) A City Council member.
(3) The City Clerk.
(4) The City Treasurer.
(5) Police Chief
(6) Any person who occupies a nonelected office created under KRS 83A.080.
(7) A member of the governing body of any city agency who has been appointed to the governing body of the agency by the city.
“OFFICIAL ACT.” Any legislative, administrative, appointive, or discretionary act of any public official or employee of the city or any agency, board, committee, or commission thereof.
“PERSONAL BENEFIT.” Benefits other than those that are directly financially advantageous. Those include financial benefits to immediate family members, business associates, as well as non-financial benefits to these people and to oneself, including such things as reputation and the success of one’s career.
“PERSONAL INTEREST.” A relationship to something such that a personal benefit has been, will be, or might be obtained by certain action of inaction with respect to it.
“SOCIAL MEDIA.” Content created by individuals, using the internet. Examples of social media include Facebook, blogs, Instagram, RSS, YouTube, Second Life, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Flickr.
“SUBORDINATE.” Another official or employee over whose activities an official or employee has direction, supervision, or control.
“SUBSTANTIAL DEBTOR OR CREDITOR.” Is any person or business owed more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), except for debts arising from the purchase of a primary residence or the purchase of consumer goods which are bought or used primarily for person, family, or household purposes.
“TRANSACTION.” Any matter, including but not limited to, contracts, work or business with the city, the sale or purchase of real estate by the city, and any request for zoning amendments, variances, or special permits pending before the city, upon which a public officer or employee performs an official act or action.
(Ord. 94-10, passed 11-22-94; Am. Ord. 20-07, passed 9-22-20)