§ 2-37. Definitions.

(a)

Admonishment shall mean a statement of disapproval, used to express displeasure with actions that technically violate this code of ethics but that do not involve intentional acts or omissions or direct private gain, and that typically involve an appearance of impropriety rather than actual impropriety.

(b)

Benefit shall mean:

(1)

Anything regardless of its monetary value, perceived or intended by either the one who offers it or the one to whom it is offered, to be sufficient in value to influence a city commissioner in the performance or non-performance of an official action; or,

(2)

Anything, regardless of its monetary value, which, under the circumstances, a reasonably prudent person would recognize as being likely to be intended to influence a city commissioner in the performance or non-performance of an official action.

(c)

Censure shall mean a stern condemnation, reserved for the most egregious violations of this code of ethics, which involve intentional acts and private gain and which result in a significant erosion of the public trust in the city government.

(d)

City commissioner shall mean any person who is an elected city official, including any person who has been elected but whose term of office has not started.

(e)

Complainant shall mean a person who files a complaint alleging a violation of this code of ethics.

(f)

Employee shall mean any person who is employed in a position covered by the position classification plan of the City of Decatur; any person who is employed part-time by any operating department of the city; and any person who is employed through a contractual agreement with the city.

(g)

Government or city shall mean the City of Decatur, Georgia.

(h)

Interest shall mean any direct or indirect financial gain accruing to a member of the city commission as a result of a contract or transaction that is, or may be, the subject of an official act or action by, or with, the city. "Interest" shall not mean any direct or indirect financial gain which is remote or insignificant.

(i)

Reprimand shall mean a formal rebuke, used for mid-level violations of this code of ethics that involve intentional or reckless acts or omissions and/or direct or indirect private gain.

(j)

Respondent shall mean a city commissioner who is the subject of a complaint filed pursuant to this code of ethics.

(Ord. No. O-16-13, Art. B, § II, 10-17-16)