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CITY OF ELBERTON
Code of Ethics Policy
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Effective: June 9, 2006
Purpose and Objective
It is the policy of the City of Elberton that
the proper operation and administration of the City
requires that its officials, employees,
appointees, and designates conducting official
City business be independent, impartial, and
responsible to the people; that all people be
treated fairly; that public office and public
service not be used for personal gain; that in the
conduct of official City buisness there be an
environment of honest, openness and integrity; and
that the public have confidence in the integrity of
its government.
In furtherance of this stated purpose, the public
interest mandates that the City protect against
conflicts of interest by establishing appropriate
ethical standards with respect to the conduct of its
officals, employees, appointees, and
volunteers in circumstances in which a conflict may
exist or appear to exist. The intent set forth
herein is to clarify standards of ethical conduct
that shall be applicable to the officials of the
City of Elberton in the discharge of their public
duties and to foster and develop a tradition of
responsible, honorable, ethical and effective public
service.
Definitions
The following words, terms, and phrases, as
used herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in this section, except where the context
clearly indicates that a different meaning is
intended:
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“City Official”
means the Mayor, members of the City
Council,
City employees,
members of City committees and boards,
its appointed officials and its
designated representatives, engaging in
official City business with the approval
of the Mayor and Council.
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“Confidential Information” means any
information which by law or practice is
not available to the general public.
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“Decision” means any ordinance,
resolution, contract, franchise, formal
action or other matter voted on by the
City Council or any other City board or
commission, as well as the discussions
or deliberations of the Council, board,
or commission which can or may lead to a
vote or formal action by that respective
body.
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“Entity” means a sole proprietorship,
partnership, limited partnership, firm,
corporation, professional corporation,
holding company, joint stock company,
receivership, trust or any other entity
recognized by law through which business
may be conducted.
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“Incidental interest” means an interest
in a person, entity or property which is
not a substantial interest and which has
insignificant value.
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“Immediate family” means spouse,
children, parents and siblings of
elected officials.
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“Remote interest” means an interest of a
person or entity, including a City
official, who would be affected in
the same way as the general public. The
interest of a Council Member in the
property tax rate, general city fees,
city utility charges, or a comprehensive
zoning ordinance or similar decisions
incidental to the extent that the
Council Member would be affected in
common with the general public.
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“Substantial interest” means a known
interest, either directly or through a
member of the immediate family, in
another person or entity:
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The interest is ownership of
five percent or more of the
voting stock, shares or
equity of the entity or
ownership of $5,000 or more
of the equity or market
value of the entity; or
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Funds received by the person
from the other person or
entity either during the
previous 12 months of the
previous calendar year
equaled or exceeded $5,000
in payment for goods,
products, or nonprofessional
services, or ten percent of
the recipient’s gross income
during that period,
whichever is less.
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The person serves as a
corporate officer or member
of the board of directors or
other governing board of the
for-profit entity other than
a corporate entity owned or
created by the City Council;
or
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The person is a creditor,
debtor, or guarantor of the
other person or entity in an
amount of $5,000 or more.
Substantial interest in real
property means an interest
in real property which is an
equitable or legal ownership
with a market value of
$5,000 or more.
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Conflict of
Interest; Prohibited Conduct
- No
City official shall use such
position to secure special privileges or
exemptions for such person or others, or
to secure confidential information for
any purpose other than official
responsibilities.
- No
City official, in any matter before
the Council, board or commission in
which he/she has a substantial interest,
shall fail to disclose for the common
good for the record such interest prior
to any discussion or vote.
- No
City official shall act as an agent
or attorney for another in any matter
before the City Council or any board or
commission.
- No
City official shall directly or
indirectly receive, or agree to receive,
any compensation, gift, reward, or
gratuity in any matter or proceeding
connected with, or related to, the
duties of his office except as may be
provided by law.
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No City official shall enter into
any contract with the City except as
specifically authorized by state
statutes. Any Council Member or member
of a board or commission who has a
proprietary interest in an agency doing
business with the City shall make known
that interest to the City Council.
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All public funds shall be disposed of in
accordance with state law.
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Public property shall be disposed of in
accordance with state law.
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No City official shall solicit or
accept other employment to be performed
or compensation to be received while
still a City official or employee, if
the employment or compensation could
reasonably be expected to impair in
judgment or performance of City duties.
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If a City official accepts or is
soliciting a promise of future
employment from any person or entity who
has a substantial interest in a person,
entity or property which would be
affected by any decision upon which the
official might reasonably be expected to
act, investigate, advise, or make a
recommendation, the official shall
disclose the fact to the board or
commission on which he serves or to his
supervisor and shall take no further
action on matters regarding the
potential future employer.
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No City official shall use City
facilities, personnel, equipment or
supplies for private purposes, except to
the extent such are lawfully available
to the public.
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No City official shall grant or
make available to any person any
consideration, treatment, advantage, or
favor beyond that which it is the
general practice to grant or make
available to the public at large.
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No City official may participate
in a vote or decision on a matter
affecting a person, entity, or property
in which the official or employees has a
substantial interest; in addition, no
City official who serves as a
corporate officer or member of the board
of directors of a nonprofit entity may
participate in a vote or decision
regarding funding by or through the City
of the entity. Where the interest of a
City official in the subject
matter of a vote or decision is remote
or incidental, the City official
may participate in the vote or decision
and need not disclose the interest.
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Penalties for Violation
Any persons
violating any provision of this policy are
subject to: Written
and oral reprimand by the Mayor and Council;
A fine of not less than $50 nor more than
$300, as may be imposed in the discretion of
the Mayor and Council and/or Request for
resignation. |
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The City
of Elberton
Code of
Ethics Policy
I
have read and reviewed the Code of Ethics Policy. By signing this
form, I agree to abide by the policy adopted by the Mayor and
Council on June 5, 2006 and I agree to review periodically any
changes or modifications. I understand updates to this policy will
be available on the City's main Web page (www.cityofelberton.net)
(Human Resources /Policies).
I
understand that violation of this policy may result in disciplinary
action, including but not limited to, termination.
Print
Name:___________________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________Date:
________________
(To be included in employee's personnel file.)
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Contact:
Cindy D. Churney
Ph: 706-213-3100
FX: 706-213-3125
Visit Human Resources at:
203 Elbert Street
Elberton, GA 30635 |
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Contact Us
City of Elberton
P.O. Box
70
Elberton, GA 30635
(706) 213-3100 |
Elberton Utilities
234 N.
McIntosh St.
Elberton, GA 30635
(706) 213-3278 |
Customer Service
P.O. Box
70
Elberton, GA 30635
(706) 213-3278 |
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