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Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Code of Ethics Guidelines and Samples from Professional Associations

Guidelines for Code of Ethics:

1.  American Society for Public Administration 

"Since 1984, ASPA has promoted a commitment to high standards of ethical practice by public servants.  The Code of Ethics was revised in 2013. ...  The Code of Ethics presents the key principles that public servants should advance, and its educational and review activities support the ethical behavior of members and hold them accountable for adhering to these principles. 

https://www.aspanet.org/ASPA/ASPA/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics.aspx

2.  Institute for Local Government, Sacramento, CA 

“Because public trust and confidence is vital to the strength of a democratic system, ethics laws sometimes set very high standards for public official conduct. Even though public officials may feel at times that some of these high standards of conduct are unduly burdensome or intrusive of their private lives, they must accept that adhering to these standards, including broad financial disclosure rules for gifts and income, is simply part of the process of public service."

https://www.ca-ilg.org/post/EthicsBestPractices

3.  International City County Management Association (ICMA)

"Adopted in 1924, the ICMA Code of Ethics defined the principles that today serve as the foundation for the local government management profession and set the standard for excellence. Leadership in a management structure committed to equity, transparency, integrity, stewardship of public resources, political neutrality, and respect for the rights and responsibility of elected officials and residents strengthens democratic local governance."

https://icma.org/icma-code-ethics

4.  Municipal Research and Services Center 

 "This page provides examples of ethics codes that have been adopted by cities, counties, and special purpose districts in Washington State, highlighting common ethics and conflict of interest concerns."

http://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-Topics/Personnel/Local-Rules-and-Policies/Codes-of-Ethics.aspx

Sample Ethics Codes in State and Local Governments:

State of California

https://www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/public-officials-and-employees-rules-.html

City of Santa Clara

https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/government/governance/ethics-values/code-of-ethics-values 

City of Sacramento

http://www.qcode.us/codes/sacramento/view.php?topic=4-4_02&showAll=1&frames=on

City of Sunnyvale

https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23093

City of Atlanta GA

https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/board-of-ethics/code-of-ethics 

Michigan Municipal Governments

https://www.mml.org/resources/sample_docs/ordinances/ethic_ordinances.htm

Vermont State Code of Ethics

https://ethicscommission.vermont.gov/sites/ethics/files/documents/General%20Principles%20Revised%20Nov.%206%2C%202019.pdf  

Mar 1, 2021
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