When you think about ethics in business, many of us are reminded of major stories like the collapse of Enron where they truly lost their way in governing the company. Growth and profits at any cost is a poor business model, and will eventually result in failure. Recently Wells Fargo Bank got into trouble because they were so driven on driving new accounts that managers incentivized unethical behaviors, and paid the price for it.
What about government leaders? They are not immune from the temptations of financial or other gain in delivering service to taxpayers. In our State, there was a recent scandal involving elected officials and kickbacks from a solid waste management company that resulted in reputations and financial ruin for multiple people.
Surely, none of these people started out to get their name on a ballot for the purpose of enriching themselves through public service. Or did they? How can we as citizens prevent this type of behavior from happening in our community? I have said many times, governance is not a spectator sport, your elected and appointed representatives must know they are being held accountable by those they govern. In order for that to happen, we need to be active participants in our own governance.
Every governing body should have an ethics policy that spells out in detail how they will approach and uphold ethics in their actions. Every time a new member joins the board, the ethics policy should be acknowledged and adopted by resolution and signed by all. Every meeting agenda can include an item asking any member to disclose any ethical concern about any agenda item. It doesn’t mean that will not be able to deliberate and vote on an item, but in the interest of transparency they should disclose any relationship or other concern and allow the board to determine if the member should sit this one out.
Some communities have gone as far as adopting municipal ethics codes. Whether you adopt a policy or a municipal code regarding ethics for public officials, there should be clear understanding about whistleblower protections afforded for those that come forward to report violations. Government conducts the peoples business, using the peoples money, and that comes with an obligation to conduct that business in the open for all to see, with very limited exceptions.
Of course, financial gain isn’t the only area of concern when we discuss ethics in the public sector, and I advocate for the addition of civility rules to be included in your policy. Our current divisiveness nationwide when it comes to politics has turned many away from wanting to participate in the democratic process. When I made the decision to jump into local government many of my friends and colleagues thought I had lost my mind! Why would anyone subject themselves to such ridicule and mental exhaustion? Surely there are hobbies to be enjoyed that are more fulfilling than public service!
Public service does not have to be contentious. Every member of a governing board should be prepared to come to a meeting and vigorously debate the merits of an action item. Rather than think of ways to bolster your own argument during debate, stop and truly listen to other opinions. If there are enough facts to make a decision, do so. If you need more information, request it and delay the decision if needed. But when a decision has been made, the board speaks with one voice and majority rules.
If the members of the board have lived up to their pledge on ethics and civility, disclosure of any conflicts has been addressed, and the debate has been in the open and transparent for the public to witness, congratulations! No matter whether your opinion prevailed or failed during the vote, you are a member of an ethical governing body and can hold your head high as you fulfill your oath of office in conducting the peoples business. Re-election will be right around the corner, and you have a great platform to run on.