Source: https://www.ecode360.com/8347620
Timestamp: 2018-08-19 23:14:36
Document Index: 685128269

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 41', '§ 41', '§ 19', '§ 946', '§ 41', '§ 41', '§ 41']

Village of Orfordville, WI Ethics, Code of
§ 41-7 Conflicts of interest.
§ 41-9 Employing relatives.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Orfordville 3-31-1992 as Title 2, Ch. 5 of the 1992 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
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 proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. In recognition of these goals, there is hereby established in this chapter a Code of Ethics for all Village of Orfordville officials and employees, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, including members of boards, committees and commissions of the Village, as well as any individuals who are candidates for elective office as soon as such individuals file nomination papers with the Village.
The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all such officials and employees by setting forth those acts or actions that are incompatible with the best interests of the Village of Orfordville and by directing disclosure by such officials and employees of private financial or other interests in matters affecting the Village. The Village Board believes that a Code of Ethics for the guidance of elected and appointed officials and employees will help them avoid conflicts between their personal interests and their public responsibilities, will improve standards of public service and will promote and strengthen the faith and confidence of the citizens of this Village in their elected and appointed officials and employees. The Village Board hereby reaffirms that each elected and appointed Village official and employee holds his or her position as a public trust, and any intentional effort to realize substantial personal gain through official conduct is a violation of that trust. The provisions and purpose of this Code of Ethics and such rules and regulations as may be established are hereby declared to be in the best interests of the Village of Orfordville.
Any money or property, favor, service, payment, advance, forbearance, loan, or promise of future employment, but does not include compensation or expense reimbursement paid by the Village, honorariums, fees and expenses under the standards and reporting requirements set forth in § 19.56, Wis. Stats., campaign contributions or hospitality extended for a purpose unrelated to Village business by a person other than a firm, corporation, partnership, or joint venture.
Any person excluded from the definition of "public official" who is employed by the Village.
Those persons serving in statutory elected or appointed offices provided for in Ch. 61, Wis. Stats., and all members appointed to boards, committees and commissions established or appointed by the Village President and/or Village Board pursuant to this Code, whether paid or unpaid.
Use of Village stationery. Copies of any correspondence written on Village stationery shall be filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer or his designee.
Any member of the Village Board who has a financial interest or personal interest in any proposed legislation before the Village Board shall disclose on the records of the Village Board the nature and extent of such interest. Such official shall not participate in debate or vote for adoption or defeat of such legislation. If the matter before the Village Board involves a member's personal interest with persons involved, the member may participate in debate or discussion and vote on the matter following disclosure, unless an ordinance or contract is involved. If an ordinance or contract is involved, such official shall not participate in debate or discussion and vote on the matter.
Any Village employee who has a financial interest or personal interest in any proposed legislative action of the Village Board or any board, commission or committee upon which the employee has any influence of input, or of which the employee is a member, that is a make to recommendation or decision upon any item which is the subject of the proposed legislative action shall disclose on the records of the Village Board or the appropriate board, commission or committee the nature and extent of such interest.
Incompatible employment. No official or employee shall engage in or accept private employment or render service, for private interest, when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or would tend to impair such official's or employee's independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties, unless otherwise permitted by law and unless disclosure is made as hereinafter provided.
No official or employee shall accept or offer to accept anything of value that may tend to influence such official or employee in the discharge of his or her duties or grant in the discharge of his or her duties any improper favor, service, or thing of value.
Nonelected Village officials and employees shall not appear on behalf of any private person (other than himself or herself, his or her spouse or minor children) before any Village agency, board, or commission or the Village Board if the official or employee or any board, commission or committee of which the official or employee is a member has any jurisdiction, discretion or control over the matter which is the subject of such representation.
The contract is awarded through a process of public notice and competitive bidding.
The contract or activity is exempt from or otherwise deemed appropriate by § 946.13, Wis. Stats.
The Village Board waives this requirement after determining that it is in the best interest of the Village to do so.
Disclosure of interest in legislation. To the extent known, any member of the Village Board who has a financial or personal interest in any proposed legislation before the Board shall disclose on the record of the Board the nature of and extent of such interest. Any other official or employee who has a financial or personal interest in any proposed legislative action of the Board and who participates in discussion with or gives official opinions or recommendations to the Board shall disclose on the record of the Board the nature of and extent of such interest.
When an official or employee has doubt as to the applicability of a provision of this chapter, such official or employee may apply to the Village Attorney for an advisory opinion. The official or employee shall have the opportunity to present his or her interpretation of the facts at issue and of the applicability of provisions of this chapter before such advisory decision is made. This chapter shall be operative in all instances covered by its provisions, except when superseded by an applicable statutory provision and statutory action is mandatory, or when the application of a statutory provision is discretionary but determined to be more appropriate or desirable.
[Amended 11-9-2015[1]]
This section governs the proposed hiring and employment of individuals for full-time or part-time work as Village employees who are members of the immediate family of Village employees or elected officials. "Immediate family" includes those relatives by blood or marriage defined in § 41-2 as "personal interest."
Hiring or continuing to employ an immediate family member of any current Village employee or elected Village official is discouraged and will be considered only if that individual has the knowledge and skills, experience or other job-related qualifications that warrant consideration for the position. It is required that either the current employee or the relative seeking employment will make the personal interest relationship known to the hiring authority (department head, Village board or commission or Village Board) before a hiring decision is made. If two or more current Village employees become members of the same immediate family, they must each make that personal interest relationship known to their department head, Village board or commission or the Village Board so that a decision may be made as their continued employment by the Village. In every case, the decision to hire or continue to employ an immediate family member or former spouse will be subject to Village Board approval, with notice, before the new employee is permitted to begin work or the current employee is authorized to continue working.
This section does not apply to nonelected officials who are asked to accept appointment as members of a Village board, commission or committee. Nonelected officials, however, will be expected to disqualify themselves from participation in matters under consideration which may affect the hiring, retention, classification or compensation of their immediate family if currently employed or being considered for employment by the Village.
Editor’s Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 12-14-2015 and changed the name of § 41-9 from “Hiring relatives” to “Employing relatives.”
In the event an employee covered under a collective bargaining agreement is allegedly involved in a Code of Ethics violation, the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement shall prevail in the administration and interpretation of §§ 41-1 through 41-11.
No full-time officer or employee of the Village shall engage in other remunerative employment within or without the Village, provided that the Village Board may approve such outside employment or activity if it finds that it does not interfere or conflict with such officer's ability to perform his duties in an efficient and unbiased manner. Violation of this provision shall be grounds for removal from office of any such officer or employee.