HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2005-63 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-63
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA, AMENDING THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN
HILLS COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain Hills (the "Town
Council") adopted the Town of Fountain Hills Council Rules of Procedure (the "Council
Rules") on August 7, 2003, including a Section 8 reserved for future adoption of an ethics
policy; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council desires to create an ethics policy for the Town of
Fountain Hills that (i) ensures the quality of government through ethical principles and (ii) that
governs the conduct of the Town Council and members of the Town's boards, committees and
commissions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF
THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS,ARIZONA, as follows:
SECTION 1. The Town of Fountain Hills Council Rules of Procedure are hereby
amended to include a new Section 8, Code of Ethics, to read as follows:
SECTION 8. CODE OF ETHICS
The purpose of this policy for the Town is to ensure the quality of the Town Government
through ethical principles that shall govern the conduct of the Town Council and members of
the Town's boards, commissions and committees. In furtherance of this purpose, we shall:
8.1 Obey the constitution and laws of the United States of America, the Constitution, and
laws of the State of Arizona and the laws of the Town of Fountain Hills.
8.2 Be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local government through
democratic leadership. We shall honor and respect the principles and spirit of
representative democracy and shall set a positive example of good citizenship by
scrupulously observing the letter and spirit of laws, rules and regulations.
8.3 Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by the Town government and
maintain a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted public servant.
8.4 Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor, ethics and integrity in all public and
personal relationships.
A. Public Confidence. We shall conduct ourselves so as to maintain public
confidence in Town government and in the performance of the public trust.
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B. Impression of Influence. We shall conduct our official and personal affairs in
such a manner as to give a clear impression that we cannot be improperly
influenced in the performance of our official duties.
8.5 Recognize that the chief function of local government is at all times to serve the best
interests of all the people. We shall treat our office as a public trust, only using the
power and resources of public office to advance public interests and not to attain
personal benefit or pursue any other private interest incompatible with the public good.
8.6 Keep the community informed on municipal affairs; encourage communication between
the citizens and all municipal officers; emphasize friendly and courteous service to the
public; and seek to improve the quality and image of public service.
A. Accountability. We shall ensure that government is conducted openly,
efficiently, equitably, honorably and in a manner that permits the citizens to
become fully informed to allow them to hold Town officials accountable.
B. Respectability. We shall safeguard public confidence in the integrity of Town
government by being honest, fair, caring and respectful, and by avoiding
conduct creating the unexplainable appearance of impropriety, or impropriety of
which is otherwise unbefitting a public official.
8.7 Seek no favor; believe that personal benefit or profit secured by confidential or
privileged information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.
A. Private Employment. We shall take any steps necessary to ensure that we
comply with the State law regarding conflicts of interest when we engage in,
solicit, negotiate for, or promise to accept private employment or render services
for private interests or conduct a private business.
B. Confidential Information. We shall not disclose to others, or use to further our
personal interest, confidential information acquired in the course of our official
duties.
C. Gifts. We shall not directly or indirectly, in connection with service to the
Town, solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift - of any value - whether it be
money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, promise, or any other
form of gratuity. This policy shall not apply to hospitality, transportation or
other assistance provided to Town officials when such hospitality, transportation
of other assistance is (i) directly related to their participation in community
events as a representative of the Town or (ii) of inconsequential value and
accepted as a courtesy.
D. Investment in conflict with official duties. We shall not invest or hold any
investment, directly or indirectly, in any financial business, commercial or other
private transaction that creates a conflict with our official duties.
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E. Personal relationships. Personal relationships shall be disclosed in any instance
where there could be the appearance of conflict of interest or a conflict of
interest.
8.8 Conduct business of the Town in a manner, which is not only fair in fact, but also fair in
appearance.
8.9 Promote understanding, mutual respect and trust among members of Council, boards,
commissions and committees concerning their roles and responsibilities with respect to
Town staff's responsibility for implementing the Town Council's policies.
All members of the Council, boards, commissions or committees shall acknowledge in writing,
on a form provided by the Town Clerk, receipt of these provisions relating to ethics.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor, the Town Manager, the Town Clerk and the Town
Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to carry out the purpose
and intent of this resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain Hills,
Arizona, November 17, 2005.
FOR THE TO OF FOUNTAIN HILLS: ATTESTED TO:
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W. J. Nic ols, ayor Bevelyn J. en ,Town Clerk
REVIEWED :— APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Timor y G. Pickering, own ager Andrew J. McGuire, Town Attorney
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