Local Ethics Law

Question 1

Ethics Law Findings

Answer 1

• Public office and employment are a public trust
• The vitality and stability of representative democracy depend upon the public’s confidence in the integrity of its elected and appointed rep.
• whenever the pubic perceives a conflict between the private interests and public duties of gov’t officer or employee, that confidence is imperiled

Question 2

Local Ethics Law Findings

Answer 2

• Public Office and employment are a public trust
• The vitality and stability of representative democracy depend upon the public’s confidence in the integrity of its elected and appointed officials
• Whenever public perceives a conflict between private interests and public duties, the confidence is imperiled

Question 3

Local Government Employee Definition

Answer 3

any person, whether compensated or not, whether part-time or full-time, employed by or serving on a local government agency who is not a local gov’t officer, shall not mean any employee of a school district

Question 4

Local Government Officer Definition

Answer 4

-any person whether compensated or not, whether part-time or full time (1) elected to any office of a local gov’t agency; (2) serving on a local gov’t agency which has the authority to enact ordinances, approve development applications or grant zoning variances (3) who is a member of an independent municipal, county or regional authority or (4) who is managerial executive or confidential employee of a local gov’t agency…shall not mean any employee of a school district or member of school board

Question 5

Member of Immediate Family Definition

Answer 5

-spouse or dependent child of a local gov’t officer or employee residing in same household.

Question 6

LFB Jurisdiction

Answer 6

govern and guide conduct of local gov’t officers or emp regarding ethical violation

Question 7

Annual Financial Disclosure Statement

Answer 7

• Filed annually - state name, address of each source
• Each source of income, earned or unearned exceeeding $2,000 of official and immediate family member
• Source of fees and honorariums having an aggregate amount exceeding $250 from any single source for personal appearances, speeches or writings
• Each source of gifts, reimbursements or prepaid expenses having an aggregate value of $400+ from any single source excluding relatives
• Business organizations in which official/immediate family member has interest
• file with clerk
• Due April 30th

Question 8

Definition of Local Government Employee

Answer 8

any person, whether compensated or not, whether part time or full time, employed by or serving on a local gov’t agency who is not a local gov’t officer, but shall not man any employee of a school district

Question 9

Request for advisory opinion from LFB

Answer 9

-Officer or employee can request advisory opinion from LFB on proposed activity or conduct

Question 10

Ethics Violations

Answer 10

• $100 - $500

- Ethics board will report findings to office/agency that has power to remove or discipline employee

Question 11

Establishment of municipal ethics board

Answer 11

• Established by ordinance
• Six members that reside in municipality
• Atleast 2 public members

Question 12

Powers of Municipal Ethics Board

Answer 12

• initiate, receive, hear and review complaints and hold hearings
• issue subpoenas for documents and witnesses
• forward to county prosecutor or attorney general information concerning violations
• render advisory opinions
• enforce municipal code of ethics and financial disclosure requirements & impose penalties
• adopt rules and regs