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. IV)]
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 Ch. 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 the Village's Code,
whether paid or unpaid.
SIGNIFICANT INTEREST
Owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, at least 10%
or $10,000 of the outstanding stock, membership interests, or other
ownership interests of any business.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. IV)]
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 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.
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 chapter 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 this chapter.
No full-time officer or full-time employee of the Village shall
engage in any other remunerative non-Village 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.
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.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions,
Art. IV)]
Violations of this chapter shall be subject to a forfeiture
of not more than $1,000.