1.18.010 Code of Ethics.
(A) The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to ensure that the governing body, appointed officials, employees, and volunteers are aware that they must behave in a way that instills confidence in the integrity of the government. The proper operation of government requires that the governing body, appointed officials, employees, and volunteers are impartial and do not use their positions for personal gain.
(B) The governing body, appointed officials, employees, and volunteers of the City of Olathe will:
(1) Conduct themselves with honor and integrity.
(2) Maintain public confidence in the performance of their duties.
(3) Use time wisely to maximize the value so that the public receive full value for each tax dollar spent.
(4) Seek no favors, nor use the position for private gain, nor use confidential information or government equipment or supplies to secure a profit or enhance wealth.
(5) Ensure that all City expenditures are in the interest of the City and only for appropriate City business.
(6) Refrain from participating in decisions or being involved in transactions in which they or their family members have an interest and make full disclosures of potential conflict of interests when involvement cannot be avoided.
(7) Address public concerns and needs, striving to provide the highest level of service with equity, without favoritism or discrimination.
(8) Cooperate with the governing body, appointed officials, employees, and volunteers to perform the operations of government without violating any ordinances or laws by encroaching upon the powers, functions, and duties of any member of the governing body, appointed official, employee, or volunteer as provided by law.
(9) Refrain from representing or advocating for any private interests before any commission, board, council, or agency of the City when they have any official City decision-making duties related to the private interest.
(10) Not solicit or accept gifts, favors or anything of value for themselves, family members, or others, which is intended or may have the appearance or effect of influencing the performance of official duties; and not lobby or attempt to influence the governing body, appointed officials, employees, and volunteers in the performance of their duties by any means which are not a part of the official’s, employee’s, or volunteer’s authorized duties. This provision does not apply to (1) an award publicly presented in recognition of public service, (2) gifts conferred on account of kinship or other personal, professional, or business relationships independent of the official status of the receiver, (3) gifts of trivial monetary value involving no substantial risk of undermining official impartiality. A gift which is a meal, any food or beverage items intended to be consumed by the recipient, or which has a monetary value of less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) is presumed to be of trivial monetary value.
(C) The governing body, appointed officials, and employees may be offered honorariums because of speaking engagements or conducting seminars. A reasonable fee for time spent in preparation or participation may be accepted if the City is not also compensating the official or employee for such time. If the City is paying the official or employee for the time, then the honorarium must be rejected.
(D) Any gift not authorized by this section must be returned to the donor or transmitted to the City Treasurer or turned over to the City to be used by the City or to be sold, with the proceeds of such sale deposited into the general fund of the City. The City Treasurer for the City shall be notified within seven (7) days of the receipt of any gift not authorized by this subsection. (Ord. 21-34 § 1, 2021.)