1. The citizens of Maricopa expect and deserve open government. Board, committee and commission members shall comply with all open meeting and public record laws as set forth in A.R.S. §§ 38-431 through 38-431.09 and §§ 39-121 through 39-121.03.

2. Board, committee and commission members shall conduct city business with transparency, seeking public input as advisable or appropriate, in a manner that fully adheres to and preferably exceeds state law regarding open meetings and transparency of actions and shall not circumvent the open meeting law, or the spirit of the law, by using technology, a “hub and spoke” scheme, or any technique involving less than a quorum yet designed to communicate with a quorum of the public body.

3. Board, committee and commission members shall be accessible, open and conduct city business with transparency.

1. Board, committee and commission members shall not be involved in any activity which creates a conflict of interest with their responsibilities to the city and its residents as defined by Arizona law.

2. Board, committee and commission members shall disclose and make known actual or perceived conflicts of interest as required by Arizona law.

3. When a known conflict of interest arises, the board, committee or commission members involved shall disclose the conflict as soon as reasonably practical and shall refrain from participating in any manner in the city’s decision-making processes on the matter as a board, committee and commission member, including voting on the matter or attending meetings with, having written or verbal communications with, or offering advice to any member of the city council, contractor, agent, other members of a city board, commission, committee, task force, other appointed advisory group or agency (other than the city attorney when the board, committee or commission member is seeking legal advice regarding a possible conflict).

4. During a public meeting when an agenda item in which a board, committee or commission member has a conflict of interest comes up for consideration, the board, committee or commission member shall state publicly that he or she has a conflict, recuse himself or herself, and leave the room while the matter is being discussed and acted upon by others on the public body.

1. Board, committee and commission members have the obligation to put the interests of the city of Maricopa over all personal considerations.

2. The goal should be to balance what is in the best interest for the broadest public good of the city, consistent with constitutional and other legal protection for minority, property and other interests.

3. Board, committee and commission members shall avoid favoritism and retribution.

1. No board, committee or commission member shall use or attempt to use his or her official position to influence board, committee or commission decisions, council decisions or city staff actions in favor of individuals, organizations or companies that may directly benefit the individual board, committee or commission member.

2. Ask “Does this pass the headline test?”

3. Board, committee and commission members shall follow applicable gift policies and laws regarding disclosure and acceptance of gifts, including, but not limited to, gifts of travel, entertainment and sports/athletic activities and events.

4. No board, committee or commission member shall use or attempt to use his or her personal relationships with staff, businesses or others for inappropriate or personal benefit.

5. Board, committee and commission members shall avoid the appearance or reality of monetary gain or “quid pro quo.”

6. No board, committee or commission member shall use or attempt to use his or her official position to gain personal, professional, or financial advantage for the individual board, committee or commission member or his or her direct family member or business. (As “direct family member” is defined in the city code.)

1. During meetings and all public appearances, board, committee and commission members shall treat each other, speakers, invited guests, residents, businesses, staff and general public with professionalism, courtesy, respect and dignity, and shall:

2. At the city workplace, at any city event and at all times while representing the city, including traveling on city business, board, committee and commission members shall treat each other, staff and the general public with professionalism, courtesy, respect and dignity, and shall:

1. Under the council-manager form of government, the city council appoints a city manager, who directs the day-to-day operations of all employees. Board, committee and commission members should be sensitive to the role of the city manager and shall utilize the designated staff liaison for all communications.

2. Board, committee and commission members shall not interfere with the hiring, promotion, transfer, discipline, compensation or termination of any employee.

3. Board, committee and commission members shall not interfere with or exert influence over the city’s procurement process.

1. Board, committee and commission members shall adhere to city rules and policies on the use of city property, city logo, and city letterhead or other approved city communication tools, materials or publications.

2. Board, committee and commission members shall use city issued equipment in accordance with city policies and shall not use city equipment or facilities for private purposes, unless such use is generally available to the public.

3. Any personal emails, faxes or use of other communications generated by the use of city equipment should be considered public information. As such, board, committee and commission members who have city-assigned electronic mail accounts shall use them for city business only and not for personal business or for campaign purposes.

4. Board, committee and commission members shall not disclose or use executive session information or other information deemed confidential under state law without proper authorization.

1. In the event of media requests or contacts, board, committee and commission members should, when appropriate or advisable, notify and seek guidance from the appropriate city staff. Board, committee and commission members are never “off the record” and should be mindful of communication actions that create a public record.

2. Board, committee and commission members shall qualify public comments as either the official position of the board, committee or commission or as a personal opinion and clarify whether the board, committee or commission have or have not acted on the topic (i.e., state “My board, committee or commission has not voted on this matter yet, however, I believe we should go in direction xyz”).

3. Board, committee and commission members shall not make public statements or take individual actions on behalf of the board, committee or commission unless expressly authorized by the board, committee or commission.

4. Board, committee and commission members shall use all communication platforms, including social media, to constructively benefit the city.

5. Board, committee and commission members shall communicate to fellow board, committee or commission members, the city manager and/or the city attorney any information that could negatively affect the operation or image of the board, committee or commission, city council or the city. [Ord. 14-10; Code 2004 § 2-138.]