The following definitions shall be applicable in this chapter:
ANYTHING OF VALUE
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., or hospitality extended for
a purpose unrelated to Village business by a person other than a firm,
corporation, partnership or joint venture.
BUSINESS
Any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise,
franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual or
any other legal entity which engages in profit-making activities.
FINANCIAL INTEREST
Any interest which shall yield, directly or indirectly, a
monetary or other material benefit to the officer or employee or to
any person employing or retaining the services of the officer or employee.
PERSONAL INTEREST
Any interest arising from blood or marriage relationships
or from close business or political associations, whether or not any
financial interest is involved. Specifically, by blood or marriage,
"personal interest" means the following relationships: spouse, child,
stepchild, parent, stepparent, first cousin, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew,
grandparent, brother, stepbrother, sister or stepsister.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Any person excluded from the definition of a "public official"
who is employed by the Village.
PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Those persons serving in statutory elected or appointed offices
provided for in Chapter 61 of the Wisconsin Statutes, 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.
SIGNIFICANT INTEREST
Owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, at least 10%
or $5,000 of the outstanding stock or at least 10% or $5,000 of any
business.
There are certain provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes which
should, while not set forth herein, be considered an integral part
of any code of ethics. Accordingly, the provisions of the following
sections of the Wisconsin Statutes, as from time to time amended,
are made a part of this Code of Ethics and shall apply to public officials
and employees whenever applicable, to wit:
A. Section 946.10, Bribery of public officers and employees.
B. Section 946.11, Special privileges from public utilities.
C. Section 946.12, Misconduct in public office.
D. Section 946.13, Private interest in public contract prohibited.
Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose
and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold
the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this
state and carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state and
municipality, to observe in their official acts the highest standards
of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office,
regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the public
interest must be their prime concern.
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 section 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.
A determination that an employee's actions constitute improper
conduct under the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a cause
of suspension, removal from office or employment or other disciplinary
action. Sanctions, including any disciplinary action, that may affect
employees covered under a labor agreement will be consistent with
the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable labor agreement.
No full-time officer or employee of the Village shall engage
in other ongoing, significant, 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.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall
be subject to a penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.