Ethical Issues In Municipal Government

National and state political races often attract the greatest attention from the media and public, but it’s the policymaking local municipal governments that impacts voters on a day-to-day basis. Cities, control a number of vital public functions including public safety, fire and police protection. Many questions have been raised about whether elected officials in municipal government have the tools to respond to their constituents or whether forces beyond their control effectively determine policy options. The problems facing local governments are numerous and immense, and most of our citizens and government officials don’t know how to solve them. Local government officials move quickly up and down the administrative ladders of municipalities,

The image of a government depends on the conduct of the public official and the perceptions of its citizens. Ethical standards and behaviors should be documented in their rules and regulations. Good goverance can be tampered with due to political corruption that may occur in local government. This may occur due to interactions between private individuals and officials. Also bribery, extortion and embezzlement effect local government. Ethics and politics encourage different sets of behaviors. When adopting a new form of governing electing new officials an ethical dilemma that may arise, according to N.J.S.A 7-2:7.2 “Doing Business with Former Members is an act that should be restricted for a period of one year, especially types of business between an independent local authority and a former board member (or a business a former board member has an interest in). Restricted business includes: 1) awarding the former member a contract that is not bid on publicly; 2) permitting the former member to appear or negotiate before the authority on behalf of another; and 3) employing any former member for compensation, unless hired after a statutory open competitive examination. 3.) employing any former member for compensation, unless hired after a statutory open competitive examination.” We will have to adopt a conflict of interest code requiring statements of economic interest and must also provide for disqualification due to conflict of interest. In order for the new form of government to gain the confidence of its constituents, trust is the key. In hoping that the new mayor-council form of government will establish a effective form of governing that will serve other, treat all people fairly, use the power of our position for the well-being of our constituents and create an environment of honesty, openness and integrity. Current public officers will have to set standards on