As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANYTHING 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 state, fees, honorariums and
expenses which are permitted and reported under § 19.56,
Wis. Stats., and political contributions which are reported under
Ch. 11, Wis. Stats.
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.
PERSON
Any person, corporation, partnership or joint venture.
There is hereby created an Ethics Board consisting of three
members and one alternate member, who shall serve without compensation
unless the Common Council otherwise provides. The members of the Board
of Ethics shall be residents of the City and shall not be elected
officials, full-time appointed officials or City employees, nor shall
they be currently serving on any other City board or commission. Each
member shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the confirmation
by the Common Council. The City Attorney shall furnish the Board whatever
legal assistance is necessary in the carrying out of its functions.
Terms of office shall be three years, except that when the initial
appointments are made, one member shall be appointed for one year,
one for two years, and one for three years. The alternate shall serve
on the Board when one of the members of the Board is unavailable.
The term of the alternate shall be for three years. The Ethics Board
shall elect its own Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
This code shall be operative in all instances covered by its
provisions except when superseded by an applicable statutory provision
and statutory action is mandatory or when the application of a statutory
provision is discretionary but determined by the Ethics Board to be
more appropriate or desirable.
A determination that a public official's or public employee's
actions constitute improper conduct under the provisions of this chapter
may constitute a cause for removal from office, termination of employment,
suspension, reprimand or other appropriate disciplinary action. As
an alternative or in addition to sanctions imposed herein, any individual
violating the Ethics Code shall be subject to a nonreimbursable forfeiture
of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 as determined by the City
of Watertown Common Council.