Source: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Ethics-Board/Best-Practices
Timestamp: 2020-04-08 02:47:34
Document Index: 98521949

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§9', '§9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9']

Best Practices | Milwaukee County Ethics Board
Best Practices for County Employees
The Office of the Personnel Review Board and Ethics Board will be teleworking until further notice. Please use the following e-mail addresses for the quickest response.
This website is provided as an information resource only and should not be used for general application to other facts or scenarios. For authoritative information consult the Wisconsin Statutes, the Milwaukee County Code of General Ordinances or the Milwaukee County Ethics Board.
The proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people. The ethical public official or employee accepts the responsibility that his or her mission is to be a servant and steward to the public. Therefore, decisions and policies must be made in the best interests of the people, the community and government. In recognition of these goals, county officials and employees should adhere to the following ethical principles.
County Officials and Employees Should:
Properly administer the affairs of the county
Promote decisions that benefit the public interest
Actively promote public confidence in county government
Preserve and protect the funds and property of the County
Conduct and perform the duties of their office or employment diligently and promptly
Maintain a positive image to pass constant public scrutiny
Evaluate all decisions so that the best service or product is obtained at a minimal cost without sacrificing quality and fiscal responsibility
Inject the prestige of the office into everyday dealings with the public, employees and associates
Maintain a respectful attitude toward officials, employees and associates
Effectively and efficiently work with governmental agencies, political subdivisions and other organizations in order to further the County's interests
Faithfully comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the county and impartially apply them to everyone (M.C.G.O., § 9.01(2)(a))
County Officials and Employees Should Not:
Engage in outside interests that are not compatible with the impartial and objective performance of their duties (M.C.G.O., § 9.01(2)(b))
Improperly influence or attempt to influence other officials or employees to act in their own benefit (M.C.G.O., § 9.01(2)(b))
Use their public position for private benefit or financial gain (M.C.G.O., § 9.05(2)(a))
Solicit or accept gifts or items that could influence their vote or official actions (M.C.G.O., §§ 9.01(2)(b) and 9.05(2)(b))
Act officially in a matter that they are privately interested in (M.C.G.O., § 9.05(2)(c))
Use or disclose privileged information gained by reason of their office or position (M.C.G.O., §9.05(2)(d))
Use or attempt to use their position to influence or gain unlawful benefits, advantages or privileges (M.C.G.O., §9.05(2)(e))
What Are the Guidelines Regarding Political Activity?
While county public officials (elected and appointed) and employees are not prohibited from engaging in political activity during their free time, there are restrictions as to political activity while at work or while engaging in their official duties.
Examples of prohibited conduct include (M.C.G.O. § 9.06(1)):
Wearing or displaying campaign material endorsing a candidate, party or position while you are at work (e.g., button or t-shirt)
Distrbuting campaign literature while you are at work
Soliciting contributions on behalf of a candidate for office while you are at work
Circulating nomination papers on behalf of a candidate for office while you are at work
Engaging in political campaign activities on behalf of a candidate for office while you are at work (e.g., making phone calls)
Furthermore, county employees may not coerce or attempt to coerce contributions or services from subordinate employees in support of a political party or candidate or with regard to a referendum position (M.C.G.O. § 9.06(2)). County employees may not retaliate against or reward any employee for refraining from participating in political activity.
In addition, county elected officials may not solicit a campaign contribution from any “at will employee,” meaning any employee who is not under a union or labor contract with the county, who is hired for an indefinite term or who is under an independent contract with the county or its subparts or who can be discharged or terminated at any time for any nondiscriminatory reason (M.C.G.O. § 9.05(2)(j)).
No elected official or candidate for a county elected office shall promise an appointment to any county position as a reward for political activity (M.C.G.O. § 9.06(3)).
For more information about political campaigns and election laws, visit the Milwaukee County Election Commission.