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 to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state,
and municipality and thus to foster respect for all government. They
are bound to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless
of personal considerations, recognizing that the public interest must
be their primary concern.
Any person having concerns or complaints related to this Ethics
Ordinance can bring them to the Village Board for remedy or sanction.
Prior to imposing a remedy or sanction, the Village Board shall consider
the complaint and provide an opportunity to be heard to the person
against whom the complaint is made. Remedies or sanctions that may
be imposed by the Village Board include, but are not necessary limited
to, a reprimand or other disciplinary action (up to and including
termination or removal from office, where appropriate), and/or imposition
of a fine up to $1,000 per offense.
In this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning
indicated:
ANY THING OF VALUE
Any money or property, favor, service, payment, advance,
forbearance, loan, or promise of future employment, but does not include
compensation and expenses paid by the Village, fees honorariums and
expenses which are permitted and reported under Wis. Stats., § 19.56,
political contributions which are reported under Wis. Stats. Ch. 11,
or hospitality extended for a purpose unrelated to Village business
by a person other than an organization.
ASSOCIATED
When used with reference to an organization, includes any
organization in which a person or a member of his or her immediate
family is a director, officer or trustee, or owns or controls, directly
or indirectly, and severally or in the aggregate, at least 10% of
the outstanding equity.
CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
Any person who files nomination papers and a declaration
under Wis. Stats., Ch. 8, for the purpose of appearing on the ballot
for election as a Village public official or any person nominated
for the purpose of appearing on the ballot for election as a Village
public official through the write in process and who files a declaration
under Wis. Stats., Ch. 8.
GIFT
The payment or receipt of anything of value without valuable
consideration.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
B.
A person's relative by marriage, lineal descent or adoption
who receives, directly or indirectly, more than 1/2 of his or her
support from such person or from whom such person receives, directly
or indirectly, more than 1/2 of his or her support.
INCOME
Has the meaning given under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
MINISTERIAL ACTION
An action that a person performs in a given state of facts
in a prescribed manner in obedience to the mandate of legal authority,
without regard to the exercise of the person's own judgment as
to the propriety of the action being taken.
NOMINEE
Any person who is nominated by the Village President for
appointment to a Village public office and whose nomination requires
the confirmation of the Village Board.
ORGANIZATION
Any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise,
franchise, association, trust, self-employed individual or other legal
entity which engages in profit-making activities.
VILLAGE PUBLIC OFFICE
All officers of the Village of Blue Mounds established pursuant
to Wis. Stats., Ch. 61, who are elected by the voters or appointed
by the Village President and confirmed by the Village Board.