Ethics are commonly defined as the rules of conduct that govern how a society differentiates between good and bad, right and wrong. In practice, ethics guide individuals in identifying the correct course of action in how decisions are made. In local government, the role of ethics is significant in maintaining public trust, fairness, and the appearance of fairness in all government action. Many local governments, including Bozeman, have created laws that outline a Code of Ethics that specify the conduct of all government actions, be it employees, elected or appointed officials, to ensure that all dealings are conducted fairly and in an unbiased manner in both appearance and fact. In general, a Code of Ethics, as is the case for Bozeman, is designed to guarantee that procedural requirements are followed so that all government actions are not only fair, but also appear to be fair. The goal of any ethics-related statute and program is to preserve the publics confidence and trust in government.
An Ethics Handbook is now available for the public, employees, public officials and staff. (See link below.) This ethics handbook was produced by the city of Bozeman Board of Ethics in conjunction with the Local Government Center to educate citizens and train employees and public officials in best practices and legal requirements. In addition, this handbook details specific ethical requirements and provides guidance on obtaining information and filing complaints. The City Code of Ethics provides legal requirements outlining conduct and best practices as detailed in Chapter 2.01 of the Bozeman Municipal Code.
If a city employee or official has a question about a potential ethics issue, impropriety, or violation, depending on the employee's or official's position and the nature of the issue, he/she should consult with his/her supervisor, Human Resources Department, or seek the advice of the City Attorney. Any member of the public may also request a formal or informal City Attorney opinion with respect to the ethical conduct of an employee or official (2.01.170). In some circumstances, the City Attorney may exercise discretion regarding whether to issue such an opinion.