Casper City Council Wants to Hear Ideas About a Code of Ethics

The Casper City Council wants suggestions from the public about creating proposed code of ethics for council members, city officials and employees, according to a news release.

Last year, council repealed its code because of outdate language and because it was ambiguous in places.

Last week, council members at a work session tabled the proposed code because they wanted more time to examine it.

Now, council wants to hear from the public and it will receive comments until Aug. 30.

Meanwhile, council has scheduled a work session for 4:30 p.m. Aug. 27 during which suggestions will be considered. The council will hear from the public after the work session ends.

The council will place the proposed ordinance on the agenda for an as yet to be determined date and will conduct a public hearing at that time.

If concerns remain, the council will revisit the proposed code of ethics at another work session.

Residents can view the proposed ordinance and comment on the home page of the city's website.

Last week, the council heard City Attorney John Henley's proposed code based on the state's "Ethics and Disclosure Act."

It expanded the nepotism and conflict of interest provision from family members to include people cohabiting with a council member or employee, Henley wrote.

The proposed code includes these provisions:

• Public officials, officials and employees are forbidden using their office for private benefit.
• They shall not help family members or cohabitants get employment, appointment, promotion, transfer or advancement. Likewise they shall not manage a family member or cohabitant who is an official or employee of the city.
• They shall not use public funds, time, personnel, facilities or equipment for their own  or another's private benefit.
• While the city recognizes council members represent their constituencies, they shall abstain from decisions that conflict with their personal interests, except for tax reductions affecting the general public.
• They may not vote or take an official action that affects a person with whom they are negotiating for prospective employment.
• Violating any of these provisions may be sufficient to terminate an employee's employment, censure or removal from office or position.