Municipal association finalizes its ethics program
To help bolster public confidence in local government, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), Atlanta, has created an ethics program. Georgia cities that adopt GMA’s five ethical principles and pass an ethics ordinance meeting GMA standards will be certified as a City of Ethics.
“For several years, [GMA] has been concerned about the image of local government officials,” says Bill Thornton, GMA director of communications. “Most local officials are honorable, but the misdeeds of a few tarnish everyone.”
In response, GMA developed the City of Ethics program through a public-private task force. The association’s board approved the program in June 1999, and cities have begun submitting ordinances for review.
To qualify, a city’s elected officials must sign a resolution agreeing to: * serve others, not themselves; * use resources with efficiency and economy; * treat all people fairly; * use the power of position for the well-being of all; and * create an honest, open environment.
Qualifying cities also must adopt an ethics ordinance that includes definitions of terms, an enumeration of permissible and impermissible activities, due process and punishment provisions for violators. GMA recommends the ethics ordinance of the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s (IMLA), Washington, D.C., as a model. A copy of the IMLA document, and codes from the Georgia cities of Snellville, Marietta and Roswell, are published in GMA’s Model Code of Ethics for Georgia Officials.
Participating cities submit their ordinances to GMA. The executive committee of the GMA city attorney section reviews the materials and certifies those meeting standards.
Cities receiving the title can use the City of Ethics logo on stationery, city vehicles, road signs and in other ways the city deems appropriate. Press releases will announce certification, and honored cities may also be listed on the GMA web site.
For more information, contact Ed Sumner or Bill Thornton at the GMA, (888) 488-4462; or visit the web page at www.gmanet.com.