Goleta Municipal Code Ch. 2.07 Code of Ethics

The proper operation of municipal government requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people, that governmental decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure, and that public office not be used for personal gain.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings herein specified:

“Employee”

means every employee of the city, including, without limitation, exempt employees, classified employees and contract employees.

“Public official” or “official”

means every member, officer or consultant of the City, including, without limitation, all elective officials of the City and the members of all official boards, commissions and committees of the City.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

Public officials and employees are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and to carry out the laws of the nation, state and municipality. Public officials and employees are bound to observe in their official acts the highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their offices regardless of personal consideration, recognizing that conduct in both their official and private affairs should be above reproach.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

Public officials and employees should not exceed their authority or breach the law or ask others to do so and they should work in full cooperation with other public officials and employees unless prohibited from so doing by law or officially recognized confidentiality of their work.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

Preferential consideration of the request or petition of any individual citizen or group of citizens shall not be given. No person shall receive special advantages beyond that which are available to any other citizen.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

No official or employee shall request or permit the use of city-owned vehicles, equipment, materials or property for personal convenience or profit, except when such services are available for the public generally or are provided as municipal policy for the use of such official or employee in the conduct of official business. No public official or employee shall use the time of any city employee during working hours for personal convenience or profit.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

No public official or employee in the course of his or her official duties shall grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage to any citizen beyond that which is available to every other citizen in the same circumstances.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

A. Conflict with Proper Discharge of Duties. No public official or employee, while serving as such, shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity, or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest and of his or her responsibilities as prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the State of California and the ordinances and resolutions of the City.

B. Incompatible Employment or Financial Interests.

1. No public official or employee shall accept other employment which he or she has reason to believe will either impair his or her independence of judgment as to his or her official duties or require or induce him or her to disclose confidential information acquired in the course of and by reason of his or her official duties.

2. No public official or employee shall acquire any financial interest in or accept any employment concerning any project which has been the subject of a discretionary approval by the city or any commission, board, department, or employee if such public official or employee participated in any manner in considering or recommending the approval or disapproval of such project and if such employee has reason to believe that interest will either impair his or her independence of judgment as to his or her official duties or require or induce him or her to disclose confidential information acquired in the course of and by reason of his or her official duties.

C. Future Employment.

1. No official or employee subject to this chapter shall make, participate in making, or use his or her official position to influence any City governmental decision directly related to any person with whom he or she is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment.

2. No former official or employee shall, for a period of one year after termination of City service or employment, be employed by or otherwise receive compensation from a person or entity that negotiated or entered in a contract with the City within the 12 months prior to the officer or employee leaving City service or employment where the officer or employee personally and substantially participated in making decisions related to the negotiations or the award of the contract.

3. No public official or employee shall acquire any financial interest in or accept any employment concerning any project which has been or will be the subject of a discretionary approval by the City or any commission, board, department, or employee thereof within two years previous to such interest or employment if such public official or employee participated in any manner in considering or recommending the approval or disapproval of such project.

D. Disclosure of Confidential Information. No public official or employee shall willfully and knowingly disclose for pecuniary gain to any other person confidential information acquired by him or her in the course of and by reason of his or her official duties nor shall any public official or employee use any such information for the purpose of pecuniary gain.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

Public officials and employees shall comply with applicable provisions of State law relating to conflicts of interest and generally regulating the conduct of public officials and employees.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)

This Code shall be deemed to set forth the minimum ethical standards to be followed by all officials and employees.

(Ord. 04-03 § 1)