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., campaign contributions as regulated by §
42-6C of this chapter, 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.
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 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.
Any questions as to the interpretation of any provisions of
this Code of Ethics shall be referred to the Village Board, which,
if it deems necessary or appropriate, may request an advisory opinion
from the Village Attorney.
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 §§
42-1 through
42-11.
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,
upon conviction thereof, forfeit not less than $100 nor more than
$1,000.