Code of Conduct

July 31, 2026

I have strong feelings about a proposed Code of Conduct that is on an upcoming local government agenda.

Strong feelings indeed.

I think it’s a well thought out document. If I were serving on that body, I would probably vote in favor of it. Though I do have questions.

But my own personal experiences also make me think deeply about what it means to expect integrity, accountability, transparency, disclosure, and ethical behavior from people who hold positions of public trust.

A few excerpts stood out to me:

“Public service is a public trust.”

“All covered individuals shall act with integrity and honesty…”

“Consent is not a defense where a power imbalance exists.”

“Conduct by an official or employee, whether within or outside the scope of official duties, that involves dishonesty, fraud, abuse of authority, unlawful conduct, exploitation of others, or misuse of a position of trust and that reasonably undermines public confidence in the integrity of government may constitute an ethical violation.”

“By serving the ____________________, we affirm our commitment to ethical leadership, respectful governance, transparency, and accountability—ensuring that the __________ remains worthy of the public trust.”

As I was reading, I found myself wondering about something very specific.

When, if ever, does someone have an ethical obligation to disclose a personal relationship or a potential conflict of interest?

Is it only when a vote or decision is directly affected? Is it whenever there is the appearance of a conflict? Does it matter whether that relationship is current or in the past? And who decides where that line should be?

Those questions led me to an even bigger one.

Where do private conduct and public ethics intersect?

If public service truly is a public trust, how much does a person’s conduct outside of their official duties matter? When do patterns of dishonesty, manipulation, exploitation, or abuse of trust in someone’s private life become relevant to the public’s confidence in their ability to serve?

The document asks us to think about ethics in government.

For me, it also asks us to think about integrity.

Integrity isn’t something we put on when we take office. It isn’t confined to board meetings, council chambers, or courtrooms. It is reflected in the choices we make, the truth we tell, the way we treat other people, and whether our public values align with our private conduct.

This document didn’t give me answers.

But it certainly left me with a lot of questions.