The following definitions shall be applicable in this chapter:
ANYTHING OF VALUE
Any gift, favor, loan, service or promise of future employment,
but does not include reasonable fees and honorariums or the exchange
of seasonal, anniversary or customary gifts among relatives and friends.
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
The following specific blood or marriage relationships:
A.
A person's spouse, mother, father, child, brother or sister.
B.
A person's relative by blood or marriage who receives,
directly or indirectly, more than 1/2 of his/her support from such
person or from whom such person receives, directly or indirectly,
more than 1/2 of his/her support.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Any person excluded from the definition of "public official"
who is employed by the Town.
PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Those persons serving in statutory elected or appointed offices
provided for in Ch. 60, Wis. Stats., and all members appointed to
boards, committees and commissions established or appointed by the
Chairperson and/or Town Board pursuant to this Code of Ordinances,
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:
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
Town, 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 chapter shall be made to the Town Chairperson
for possible referral to the Town Attorney. Such requests shall be
as detailed as possible and shall be made in writing. Advisory requests
and opinions shall be kept confidential, except when disclosure is
authorized by the requestor, in which case the request and opinion
may be made public.
A determination that an official's or employee's actions
constitute improper conduct under the provisions of this chapter may,
in the case of an employee, 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. In the case of an elected
or appointed Town official, the Town Board, upon a review of the facts
with the individual, may officially reprimand the official or remove
such official from certain committee assignments or responsibilities.
Pursuant to § 19.59(3)(f), Wis. Stats., violation
of this chapter shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than
$100 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.