Richmond Municipal Code Art. VIII Ethics in Public Contracting

(a) Adoption. By adoption of this chapter, the City Council hereby adopts the following Code of Ethics. Every employee participating in the procurement, management, storage, and use of supplies or services purchased by the City for its benefit shall adhere to the following principles:

(1) City employees shall not obligate the City of Richmond, financially or otherwise, by any means, including but not limited to purchase orders and contracts, when the employee has a personal, material, financial, or other interest in the obligation.

(2) City employees shall not accept any form of gratuities. For this section only, employee is defined as an individual drawing a salary or wages from the City, whether elected or not; any non-compensated individual performing personal services for the City or any department, agency, commission, council, board, or any other entity established by the executive or legislative branch of the City; and any non-compensated individual serving as an elected official of the City.

(3) City employees shall not purchase item(s) for personal use while on duty or in uniform. Employee may not accept discounts, sales, reduced prices, or other benefits offered by Suppliers because of employee's relationship with the City.

(4) City employees shall not incur costs to the City for personal purposes, such as making personal long-distance phone calls, copies, or facsimiles, mailing personal bills, letters, or packages, or otherwise committing the City to pay for an employee's personal expenses.

(5) City employees shall not borrow, loan, or take home City equipment or supplies for personal use.

(6) City employees should avoid any implied or actual infraction of City rules and regulations, such as receiving personal mail at City offices, using the City address or telephone number on personal checks, or any other indication that the employee might stand to gain at cost to the City.

(Ord. No. 14-20 N.S., § I, 6-30-2020)