Local public officials are agents of public purpose and hold
office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the
United States Constitution and the Wisconsin Constitution and impartially
carry out the laws of the nation, state and City. In their official
acts, local public officials are bound to observe 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.
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. Such allowable fees and contributions shall not
influence good public policy.
ASSOCIATED
Includes any organization (when used with reference to an
organization) in which an individual or a member of their immediate
family is a director, officer or trustee, or owns or controls directly
or indirectly, and severally or in the aggregate, at least 10% of
the outstanding equity or of which an individual or member of their
immediate family is an authorized representative or agent.
CANDIDATE
Files nomination papers with the City Clerk.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Written material or oral information related to City government,
which is not otherwise subject to the public records law and which
is expressly designated or marked as confidential.
FINANCIAL INTEREST
Any interest which yields, directly or indirectly, a monetary
or other material benefit to the local public official or to any person
employing or retaining services of the elected or appointed official.
GIFT
The payment or receipt of anything of value without valuable
consideration.
LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICE
An elective office of the City of Fond du Lac, the City Manager,
or an appointive office or position of the City that is filled by
the City Council or City Manager and the position serves for a specified
term or at the pleasure of the appointing authority. This definition
does not include a candidate, a position that is limited to the exercise
of ministerial action, a clerical position, or a position filled by
an independent contractor.
PERSON
Any natural person, corporation, partnership or joint venture.
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.
This Code of Ethics shall apply 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.
The City Clerk shall provide copies of this code to local public
officials covered by this code and shall keep at least one copy permanently
on file for the use of the public.
Violation of this chapter will be subject to a forfeiture as outlined in the general penalty provisions of §
1-4 of the Fond du Lac Code of Ordinances.