(A) The position of the Ethics Officer is hereby established. The Ethics Officer is to be appointed by the Mayor. The Ethics Officer is not a voting member of the Ethics Commission.
(B) The mission of the Ethics Officer is to encourage each of the department heads and employees of the city to act ethically in all actions. The Ethics Officer shall be the first contact to the city employees. This mission requires that the Ethics Officer not only encourage compliance with various laws, but more importantly, encourage each employee and department head to adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior. In pursuing that broad mission, the duties of the Ethics Officer include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) Develop policies, programs and strategies to deal with all ethics-related matters;
(2) Develop training and implementation of educational programs;
(3) Attend Ethics Commission meetings;
(4) Encourage compliance with the spirit and letter of this chapter and the State of Indiana's ethics laws;
(5) Review periodically this chapter and other applicable laws and regulations and recommend to the Ethics Commission appropriate changes to this chapter;
(6) The Ethics Officer shall be the liaison between the Ethics Commission and the department heads and employees of the city;
(7) The Ethics Officer may seek formal opinions from the Ethics Commission on interpretation of his or her duties or of this chapter; and
(8) Accomplish other duties as requested by the Mayor.
(C) Upon receiving a complaint that an employee or a public official that is a department head has not complied with this chapter, or has failed to disclose an actual or apparent conflict of interest, the Ethics Officer shall:
(1) Notify the employee that a complaint has been filed against him or her and shall allow the employee to respond, in writing, to the complaint;
(2) Meet individually with all parties and make recommendations to the Mayor and department head, if applicable;
(3) The complaint will be forwarded to the Ethics Commission under the following circumstances:
(a) If the complaint alleges a severe violation of this chapter; or
(b) If no resolution or agreement is reached between the parties with the assistance of the Ethics Officer.
(D) Complaints referred to the Ethics Commission concerning employees shall proceed according to the procedure for public officials as set forth in § 36.20 of this chapter.
(Ord. 37-2005, passed 9-11-06)