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 and expenses which
are permitted and reported under § 19.56, Wis. Stats., political
contributions which are reported under Ch. 11, Wis. Stats., or hospitality
extended for a purpose unrelated to state business by a person other
than an organization.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
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;
or
B.
A person's relative by blood or marriage 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.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Any person excluded from the definition of a public official
who is employed by the City.
PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Those persons serving in elected or appointed offices and
all members appointed to boards, committees and commissions established
or appointed by the Mayor and/or Common Council, 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 chapter 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.
E. Section 19.41 et seq., Code of Ethics for Public Officials and Employees.
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
and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless
of personal consideration, recognizing that the public interest must
be their prime concern.
Officials and employees shall adhere to the rules of work and
performance established as the standard for their positions by the
appropriate authority. Officials and employees shall not exceed their
authority or breach the law or ask others to do so, and they shall
work in full cooperation with other public officials and employees
unless prohibited from so doing by law or by officially recognized
confidentiality of their work. Members of the City staff are expected
to follow their appropriate professional code of ethics.
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
this Ethics Code.
A determination that an employee's actions constitute improper
conduct under the provisions of this chapter may constitute a cause
of suspension, removal from office or employment or other disciplinary
action. Sanctions, including any disciplinary action, which may affect
employees covered under a labor agreement will be consistent with
the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable labor agreement.
When an ethics complaint has been filed against a police officer
or firefighter or the Chief of either the Police or Fire Department,
the procedure shall be performed in accordance with the provisions
of § 62.13, Wis. Stats.
Violation of any provision of this chapter should raise conscientious
questions for the incumbent concerned as to whether voluntary resignation
or other action is indicated to promote the best interests of the
City of Reedsburg. For nonelected officials or City employees, violation
may constitute a cause for suspension, removal from office or employment,
or other disciplinary action. As an alternative or an addition to
the sanctions imposed herein, any person violating the provisions
of this sanction shall be subject to a nonreimbursable forfeiture
of not less than $100 nor more than $500.