Ethics committee to present recommendations to city council

The City of Rhinelander’s ethics committee is ready to present to the common council a resolution outlining the ethical principles it believes should guide those who serve the city’s residents. The panel also intends to recommend that elected officials, city employees and those appointed to serve on city commissions participate in ethics training as well as a separate training focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The resolution, expected to be reviewed by the council during its Feb. 26 meeting, sets forth the following ethical principles:

• Serve others, not ourselves

• Use resources with efficiency and economy

• Treat all people fairly

• Use the power of our position for the well-being of all Rhinelander citizens, businesses and visitors

• Create an environment of honesty, openness and integrity

The resolution also includes a list of acts or behaviors “the governing authority” shall not do:

• Act officially in a matter in which they or a member of their immediate family are privately interested.

• Use their public position for private benefit.

• Accept transportation, lodging, food, beverage or anything else that could reasonably be expected to influence their vote, official actions or judgment.

• Solicit or accept rewards or items or services likely to influence their official duties or could reasonably be considered a reward for any official action or inaction. This shall not apply in situations where the reward, items or services are generally available to the public

• Use confidential information to their personal or economic advantage

• Use their public position to obtain unlawful benefits for themselves or any other person

• Enter into public contracts including employee without required notice and transparency

• Charge a fee to provide services to a person before a department of the city that is not already a fee applicable under an approved fee schedule

• Offer or provide influence in exchange for campaign contributions or in-kind services

• Accept items or services of substantial value for private benefit, or for the benefit of their immediate family or associated organizations, if offered because of their public position unless generally offered to all present.

The resolution was discussed and revised by the committee during its December and January meetings. On Feb. 12 the group voted to forward it to the common council for approval. Committee chair Michael Miller is expected to present the measure.

The ethics committee, created by the council in 2020, has thus far been primarily focused on this resolution as well as  disclosures of conflicts of interest. 

During a meeting in mid-November 2023 the group did discuss, in closed session, a complaint filed against a city employee. However, the panel ultimately did not have to act on that matter as the issue became “moot,” according to city attorney Steve Sorenson.

Since then the group has been focused on the list of principles. As a new council will be impaneled following the April election, the committee members have indicated it would be a good time to ensure everyone is on the same page with respect to what is expected in terms of ethical behavior.

The consensus was to start the process with the mayor and council and then move on to “anyone with a paycheck or interest in city government.”

“The original concept was we’re going to roll this out at the mayor and city council level. Once we get them trained we’re going to reach out to the (city) commissions and then, once we get the commissions sorted out, we’re going to roll it down to the employees,” Miller said. 

Alderman Steven Jopek, who serves on the ethics committee, advised his colleagues that the council would likely have concerns about the cost of the training sessions and how to conduct them in a way that does not disrupt city business.

After further discussion, it was suggested that Sorenson, who has extensive background in teaching ethics, could potentially lead the ethics training sessions. 

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].