Whenever these terms are used in this section, they shall have the following meaning:
(a) “Compensation” is any money, property, thing of value or benefit received by any person in return for services rendered.
(b) “Confidential information” means information that has been obtained in the course of holding public office or employment that is not available to members of the public pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, being M.C.L. 15.231 et seq., or pursuant to other law, regulation, policy or procedure recognized by law, and that the official or employee is not authorized to disclose, including written information, non-written information, and information obtained in the course of a lawful executive or closed session of Council.
(c) “Conflict of interest” is either a personal interest or a duty or loyalty to a third party that competes with or is adverse to a Village official's or employee's duty to the public interest in the exercise of official duties or official actions.
(d) “Decision” means a determination, action, vote or other disposition upon a motion, proposal, recommendation, resolution or ordinance by members of the governing body; or a determination, action or other disposition taken by an elected official with the authority to do so.
(e) “Official action” means a decision, recommendation, approval, disapproval or other action or failure to act which involves the use of discretionary authority.
(f) “Private gain” means any benefit which is accepted or received by a public servant, or is perceived by a reasonable person to be accepted or received by a public servant, as remuneration for the purpose of improperly influencing an official action in a specific manner or for refraining from the performance of an official action in a specific manner, or as inducement for the public servant to act in favor of some interest other than in the public interest. To clarify, unless the above standard is violated, the following types of benefits, monetary payments, or reimbursements, gifts, or awards may be received by the public servant: payment of salaries, authorized reimbursements, etc.
(g) “Village official” or “employee” means the elected members of the Village Council, any member of any local government agency, board, commission, or other voting body that is established by the Village Charter or by the Code, and any employee, or any individual who provides services to the local government within or outside of its offices or facilities.
(Ord. 155. Passed 1-13-16.)