[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Blanchardville as Sec. 1.08 of the 2003 Municipal Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Boards and commissions — See Ch. 16.
Officers and employees — See Ch. 65.
Village Board — See Ch. 95.
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 a code of ethics for all Village of Blanchardville 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 are nominated. The purpose of this code 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 Blanchardville and by directing disclosure by such officials and employees of private financial or other interests in matters affecting the Village. The provisions and purpose of this code and such rules and regulations as may be established are hereby declared to be in the best interests of the Village of Blanchardville.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
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.
B. 
Accordingly, the provisions of the following sections of the Wisconsin Statutes are made a part of this Code of Ethics and shall apply to public officials and employees whenever applicable, to wit:
(1) 
Section 946.10, Bribery of public officials and employees.
(2) 
Section 946.11, Special privileges from public utilities.
(3) 
Section 946.12, Misconduct in public office.
(4) 
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 municipality and 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.
A. 
All officials and employees of the Village of Blanchardville should be loyal to the objectives expressed by the electorate and the programs developed to attain these objectives. Appointive officials and employees should adhere to the rules of work and performance established as the standard for their positions by the appropriate authority.
B. 
Officials and employees should not exceed their authority or breach the law or ask others to do so, and they should work in full cooperation with other public officials and employees unless prohibited from so doing by law or by officially recognized confidentiality of their work.
No official or employee shall grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage to any citizen beyond which is available to every other citizen.
A. 
Contracts with the Village.
(1) 
No Village officer or employee who in his/her capacity as such officer or employee participates in the making of a contract in which he/she has a private pecuniary interest, or performs in regard to that contract some function requiring the exercise of discretion on his part, shall enter into any contract with the Village unless, within the confines of § 946.13, Wis. Stats.:
(a) 
The contract is awarded through a process of public notice and competitive bidding; or
(b) 
The Village Board waives the requirement of this section after determining that it is in the best interest of the Village to do so.
(2) 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the designation of a public depository of public funds.
B. 
Disclosure of interest in legislation.
(1) 
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 or the Ethics Committee created by this chapter, the nature and extent of such interest.
(2) 
Any other official or 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 official or employee has any influence or input or of which the official or employee is a member that is to make a 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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
Any questions as to the interpretation of any provisions of this Code of Ethics shall be referred to Policy and Personnel Committee and/or Village Board, which, if it deems it necessary or appropriate, may request an advisory opinion from the Village Attorney.
The Policy and Personnel Committee shall have administrative jurisdiction over this Code of Ethics and shall be deemed the Ethics Committee for that purpose.
A. 
The Committee may make recommendations with respect to amendments to this chapter.
B. 
Upon the sworn complaint of any person alleging facts which, if true, would constitute improper conduct under the provisions of this chapter, the Committee shall conduct an investigation of the facts of the complaint; if the investigation indicates there may be a reasonable basis for the complaint justifying further investigation, the Committee shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with the common law requirements of due process including notice, an opportunity to be heard, an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and to present testimony and other evidence in support of the accused's position and an opportunity to be represented by counsel or other representative at the expense of the accused. The Committee shall make written findings of fact and issue a written decision concerning the propriety of the conduct of the subject official or employee and shall refer the matter to the Village Board for final disposition.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
C. 
In the event a member of the Policy and Personnel Committee is allegedly involved in an ethics code violation, the President, subject to the confirmation of the Village Board, shall appoint another trustee to temporarily replace the member of the Committee who is under investigation.
D. 
In the event an employee covered under a collective bargaining agreement is allegedly involved in an ethics code violation, the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement shall prevail in the administration and interpretation of this chapter.
A determination that an official's or employee's actions constitute improper conduct under the provisions of this chapter may constitute a cause for suspension, removal from office or employment, or other disciplinary action.
A. 
The Clerk-Treasurer shall cause a copy of this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every public official and employee of the Village of within 30 days after enactment of this chapter. Each public official and employee elected, appointed, or engaged thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering upon his or her duties.
B. 
Each public official, the Village President, the chairperson of each board, commission, or committee and the head of each department shall, between May 1 and May 31 each year, review the provisions of this chapter with his or her fellow board, commission, committee members or subordinates as the case may be and certify to the Village Clerk by June 15 that such annual review had been undertaken. A copy of this chapter shall be continuously posted on each department bulletin board wherever situated.
C. 
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.
Violation of this chapter shall be subject to a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).