As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
INTEREST
A direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a
municipal officer or employee as the result of a contract with the municipality
which such officer or employee serves. For the purposes of this article, a
municipal officer or employee shall be deemed to have an interest in the contract
of:
A.
His spouse, minor children and dependents, except a contract of employment
with the municipality which such officer or employee serves.
B.
A firm, partnership or association of which such officer or employee
is a member or employee.
C.
A corporation of which such officer or employee is an officer, director
or employee.
D.
A corporation, any stock of which is owned or controlled directly or
indirectly by such officer or employee.
TOWN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the Town of Niles, whether paid or unpaid,
including members of any administrative board, commission or other agency
thereof. No person shall be deemed to be a municipal officer or employee solely
by reason of being a volunteer fireman or civil defense volunteer, except
a fire chief or assistant fire chief.
Every officer or employee of the Town of Niles shall be subject to and
abide by the following standards of conduct:
A. Gifts. He shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit
any gift; or accept or receive any gift having a value of $25 or more, whether
in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality,
thing or promise, or any other form, under circumstances in which it could
reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence him, or could
reasonably be expected to influence him, in the performance of his official
duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on his part.
B. Confidential information. He shall not disclose confidential
information acquired by him in the course of his official duties or use such
information to further his personal interest.
C. Representation before one's own agency. He shall
not receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation
for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any municipal
agency of which he is an officer, member or employee or of any municipal agency
over which he has jurisdiction or to which he has the power to appoint any
member, officer or employee.
D. Representation before any agency for a contingent fee.
He shall not receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for
compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before
any agency of his municipality, whereby his compensation is to be dependent
or contingent upon any action by such agency with respect to such matter,
provided that this subsection shall not prohibit the fixing at any time of
fees based upon the reasonable value of the services rendered.
E. Investments in conflict with official duties. He shall
not invest or hold any investment, directly or indirectly, in any financial,
business, commercial or other private transaction which creates a conflict
with his official duties.
F. Private employments. He shall not engage in, solicit,
negotiate for or promise to accept private interests when such employment
or service creates a conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of his
official duties.
G. Future employment. He shall not after the termination
of service or employment with such municipality, appear before any board or
agency of the Town of Niles in relation to any case, proceeding or application
in which he personally participated during the period of his service or employment
or which was under his active consideration.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to bar or prevent the timely filing by
a present or former municipal officer or employee of any claim, account, demand
or suit against the Town of Niles or any agency thereof on behalf of himself
or any member of his family arising out of any personal injury or property
damage or for any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.
The Supervisor of the Town of Niles shall cause a copy of this Code
of Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee of the Town of Niles
within 20 days after the effective date of this article. Each officer and
employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be furnished a copy before
entering upon the duties of his office or employment. Failure of the Supervisor
to distribute any copy of the Code of Ethics or failure of any officer or
employee to receive such copy shall have no effect on the duty of compliance
with such Code nor the enforcement of the provisions thereof.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law,
any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any of the provisions
of this code may be fined, suspended or removed from office or employment,
as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.
It shall be the obligation of each:
A. To respect and fulfill his obligation as a citizen and
officer, and to give full faith and allegiance to his oath of office.
B. To protect the public, in his professional capacity,
from any activity which is unjust, unethical or detrimental to its best interest.
C. To avoid any activity, business or transaction which
legally or morally involves a conflict of interest with his official duties.
D. To hold as confidential any information received as an
officer of the government which could be used for personal gain, unless such
information is or should be public information, is required to be public pursuant
to law or the requirements of official business.
E. To act for his government unit or supervisor as a faithful
agent or trustee and never accept any remuneration or thing of value other
than his salary for services rendered.
F. To assist his colleagues in every practicable manner
and to provide information helpful to fellow officers or employees.
G. Not to act in any manner or engage in any practice which
will tend to bring discredit upon the honor and dignity of the Town of Niles.