The following definitions shall be applicable in this chapter:
ANYTHING OF VALUE
Any gift, favor, loan, service or promise of future employment, but
does not include reasonable fees and honorariums, or the exchange of seasonal,
anniversary or customary gifts among relatives and friends.
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 "public official" who
is employed by the Town.
PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Those persons serving in statutory elected or appointed offices provided
for in Ch. 60, Wis. Stats., and all members appointed to boards, committees
and commissions established or appointed by the Chairperson and/or Town Board
pursuant to the Town Code, 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 Code of Ethics
and shall apply to public officials and employees whenever applicable:
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, to carry out impartially
the laws of the nation, state and Town, 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 Town Attorney. Such requests shall be as
detailed as possible and shall be made in writing. Advisory requests and opinions
shall be kept confidential, except when disclosure is authorized by the requestor,
in which case the request and opinion may be made public.
A determination that an official's or employee's actions constitute
improper conduct under the provisions of this chapter may, in the case of
an employee, 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.
In the case of an elected or appointed Town official, the Town Board, upon
a review of the facts with the individual, may officially reprimand the official
or remove such official from certain committee assignments or responsibilities.