Any
employee desiring to become a candidate for the position of Mayor
or Alderman shall first take leave of absence without pay or resign.
Any employee desiring to become a candidate for any other elective
office shall make written notification to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen,
who shall hold a hearing to determine if the employee's employment
with the City and seeking an elective office creates a conflict of
interest, the appearance of impropriety or an inefficiency in the
operation of the City. A Police Officer running for the position of
City Marshal against an incumbent shall be considered a per se conflict
of interest. If the Board of Aldermen determines that the employee
can seek office without creating any of the inefficiencies above,
the employee shall be permitted to seek the political office without
requiring a leave of absence or resignation. If the Board determines
that the employee cannot seek office without creating a conflict of
interest, the appearance of impropriety or inefficiency in municipal
operation, the employee shall resign or take a leave of absence or
be terminated. Should the employee be unsuccessful in seeking the
office, he/she shall be returned to employment on the same terms and
conditions as any other employee who has taken leave of absence without
pay.