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, or
hospitality extended for a purpose unrelated to Village business by
a person other than a firm, corporation, partnership, or joint venture.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. III)]
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, Wis. Stats., and all members appointed
to boards, committees and commissions established or appointed by
the Village President and/or Village Board pursuant to this Code of
Ordinances, whether paid or unpaid.
SIGNIFICANT INTEREST
Owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, at least 10%
or $10,000 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 19.42, Code of Ethics — Definitions.
B. Section 19.59, Code of Ethics for Government Officials, Employees
and Candidates.
C. Section 946.10, Bribery of Public Officers and Employees.
D. Section 946.11, Special Privileges from Public Utilities.
E. Section 946.12, Misconduct in Public Office.
F. 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 §§
50-1 through
50-11.
No full-time officer or full-time employee of the Village shall
engage in any other significant, ongoing 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/her duties
in an efficient and unbiased manner. Violation of this provision shall
be grounds for removal from office of any such officer/employee. Employees
shall bring such matters to the Village Board prior to the start of
employment.
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.