The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to promote ethical, professional, and respectful behavior by all elected officials, appointed officials, employees, volunteers, contractors, and representatives of the City. This policy is intended to maintain public trust, ensure accountability, and foster a safe and productive working environment.
(Ord. 2026-12)
(a) Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the integrity and public trust of the City both during and outside of working hours. Off-duty conduct that adversely affects an employee’s ability to perform their duties, undermines public confidence in the City, violates law or policy, or negatively impacts the workplace may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
(b) All individuals representing the City shall:
(1) Conduct themselves honestly, ethically, and professionally;
(2) Perform duties in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies;
(3) Treat members of the public, co-workers, elected officials, and other stakeholders with dignity, fairness, and respect;
(4) Avoid behavior that could undermine public confidence in the integrity of City government; and
(5) Exercise good judgment and maintain professionalism both on and off duty, when representing the City.
(c) The City is committed to maintaining a workplace free from harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, intimidation and threatening behavior. No employee or official shall engage in conduct that creates a hostile, abusive, or offensive work environment. All individuals employed by or representing the City shall communicate respectfully and professionally, encourage collaboration and constructive dialogue, and respect differing viewpoints and opinions.
(Ord. 2026-12)
(a) City employees and representatives shall:
(1) Use public resources responsibly and only for authorized governmental purposes;
(2) Avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of impropriety;
(3) Refrain from using their position for personal gain;
(4) Disclose potential conflicts of interest as required by law or policy; and
(5) Maintain impartiality in decision-making.
(b) No employee or representative of the City shall accept gifts, favors, or compensation intended to improperly influence official actions, or participate in decisions where they have a personal or financial interest unless properly disclosed and authorized by law.
(c) Employees and representatives of the City shall protect confidential and sensitive information obtained through City services and shall not disclose confidential information without authorization, Use nonpublic information for personal benefit, or access information outside the scope of assigned duties. This provision does not prohibit lawful whistleblower activity or disclosures protected by law.
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(a) Employees shall comply with all applicable laws regarding political activity and shall not use City resources for political campaigning, represent personal political opinions as official City positions, or engage in political activity while performing official duties where prohibited by law.
(b) Nothing in this policy is intended to restrict lawful private political expression.
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Any person who becomes aware of potential violations of this Code of Conduct should report the matter through appropriate supervisory, administrative, or legal channels. Reports made in good faith shall not result in retaliation. False or knowingly malicious complaints may result in disciplinary action.
(Ord. 2026-12)
Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in corrective or disciplinary action, including but not limited to verbal or written reprimand, suspension, termination of employment, removal from appointment where authorized by law, and/or referral to appropriate legal authorities. Disciplinary action shall be administered consistent with applicable law, personnel policies, and due process requirements.
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(a) All City employees and officials may be required to acknowledge receipt of this Code of Conduct and affirm their commitment to comply with its provisions.
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(a) Ethics. Elected officials of the City are governed as to conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, and contracts by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Act as applied to local governmental subdivisions (K.S.A. 75-4301 et seq., and amendments thereto), which is incorporated herein by reference. Nothing in this Article shall be construed to create a separate or lesser ethical standard for elected officials than that already established by state law. Alleged violations of K.S.A. 75-4301 et seq. shall be referred to the county attorney as provided by state law, and Section 12-106 of this Article shall not be applicable to elected officials.
(b) Conduct. This Article's standards of conduct in Sections 12-102 and 12-103 apply to elected officials only as to: (1) decorum during official meetings, (2) confidentiality of matters properly discussed in executive session, and (3) prohibition on directing or supervising City staff outside the elected official's lawful authority. These standards do not extend to the content, tone, or manner of an elected official’s questions, votes, public statements, or exercise of oversight authority under K.S.A. 12-103 or the Kansas Open Records Act.
(c) Enforcement. Section 12-106 (Enforcement and Discipline) does not apply to elected officials. The sole remedy for an alleged violation of subsection (b) is a resolution of reprimand or censure, adopted by two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the Council members other than the accused, following written notice to the accused member and an opportunity to respond at a public meeting. No sanction under this Article may include removal, suspension, or restriction of an elected official's official duties or privileges; removal from office remains governed exclusively by K.S.A. 25-4301 et seq.
(d) Neither an alleged nor a confirmed violation of this Article shall provide grounds to invalidate any vote, records request, question, or other official action taken by the accused member.
(Ord. 2026-12)