Cordele Dispatch
Cordele —
ATLANTA – Five Georgia cities, including Rochelle have been recognized for earning the “Cities of Ethics,” designation, bringing the total number of Cities of Ethics to 216.
Other newly designated cities include Blairsville, Dalton, Dunwoody and Lovejoy. The announcements were made at the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual convention in Atlanta June 28.
The City of Ethics program began in 1999 and was developed by a panel of business and government leaders to encourage cities to adopt and adhere to a set of key ethical principles and adopt a local ethics ordinance.
The ordinance must contain definitions, prohibited conduct and due process for officials accused of violations in areas such as financial disclosures, conflicts of interests and outside employment. The ordinance must also contain penalties for city officials who violate the ordinance.
This year, GMA began requiring cities with the designation to recertify for the program, ensuring that ordinances maintain the standards of the program and city officials are regularly reminded of their ethical obligations as individuals and as a governing body. Each city will be required to apply for recertification every four years.
“There is a much stronger focus on ethics right now, and we’re pleased that cities have led the way on this important issue,” said GMA Executive Director Jim Higdon.
A panel of attorneys reviewed the ordinances to determine if they comply with the criteria set by GMA. The cities received a plaque and are now authorized by GMA to use a “Certified City of Ethics” logo on city stationery, road signs, city vehicles and for other uses.
