Last week the Dunwoody City Council passed a resolution readopting ethics principals and pledges for purposes of being re-certified as a City of Ethics and I have been asked to sign the document on Monday when I return to City Hall, therefore I figured this was worth sharing. It basically says ...
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the governing authority of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia, that as a group and as individuals, the governing authority hereby readopts and rededicates itself to the following ethics principles and pledges to continue to conduct its affairs accordingly:
* Serve Others, Not Ourselves
* Use Resources With Efficiency and Economy
* Treat All People Fairly
* Use The Power of Our Position For The Well Being Of Our Constituents
* Create An Environment Of Honesty, Openness And Integrity
Besides a simple resolution the City of Dunwoody strives to live up to its posted Vision, Mission & Values as found on the City Website.
Vision
Dunwoody fosters a thriving, vibrant, and inclusive community
with exceptional neighborhoods and an innovative, responsible business
environment.
Mission Statement
Dunwoody is the choice for residents, businesses and visitors seeking
a connected community that is safe, friendly and engaged. Through
excellent services and forward-thinking planning, Dunwoody continues to
enhance the quality of life for those who live, work and visit here.
Values
Goals
The goals of the City of Dunwoody and its governing body are to make
Dunwoody a better community, built on mutual respect and trust, and to
promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional
conduct among all involved in City government – elected officials; City
staff; volunteers; and members of the City’s boards, commissions and
committees.
Preamble
The proper operation of democratic government requires that
decision-makers be independent, impartial, and accountable to the people
they serve. The City of Dunwoody representatives intend to act pursuant
to the ethics as delineated in the Charter in order to promote and
maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct in
the City's government. All elected and appointed officials, City
employees, volunteers, and others who participate in the City's
government will subscribe to those ethics, understand how it applies to
their specific responsibilities, and practice its values in their work.
Because we seek public confidence in the City's services and public
trust of its decision-makers, our decisions and our work must meet the
most demanding ethical standards and demonstrate the highest levels of
achievement in following this code.
As the governing body of the City of Dunwoody, we represent as follows:
(1) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be ethical.
(a) We are trustworthy, acting with the utmost integrity and moral courage.
(b) We are truthful, do what we say we will do, and are dependable.
(c) We will make impartial decisions, free of bribes, unlawful gifts,
narrow political interests, and financial and other personal interests
that impair the independence of our judgment and actions.
(d) We will be fair, distributing benefits and burdens according to consistent and equitable criteria.
(e) We will extend equal opportunities and due process to all parties in
matters under consideration. If we engage in unilateral meetings and
discussions, we do so without making voting decisions.
(f ) We will show respect for persons, confidences, and information designated as "confidential."
(g) We will use our title(s) only when conducting official City
business, for information purposes, or as an indication of background
and expertise, carefully considering whether we are exceeding or
appearing to exceed our authority.
(2) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be professional.
(a) We will apply our collective knowledge and expertise to our
assigned activities and to the interpersonal relationships that are part
of our job in a consistent, confident, competent, and productive
manner.
(b) We will approach our job and work-related relationships with a positive attitude.
(c) We will keep our professional knowledge and skills current and growing.
(3) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be service- oriented.
(a) We will provide friendly, receptive, and courteous service to everyone.
(b) We will be attuned to, and care about, the needs and issues of citizens, public officials, and city workers.
(c) In our interactions with constituents, we will be interested, engaged, and responsive.
(4) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be fiscally responsible and transparent.
(a) We will make decisions after prudent consideration of their
financial impact, taking into account the long-term financial needs of
the City, especially its financial stability which are transparent to
the City residents and businesses.
(b) We will demonstrate concern for the proper use of City assets (e.g.,
personnel, time, property, equipment, funds) and follow established
procedures.
(c) We will make good financial decisions that seek to preserve programs and services for City residents.
(5) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be organized.
(a) We will act in an efficient manner, making decisions and
recommendations based upon research and facts, taking into consideration
short and long term goals.
(b) We will follow through in a responsible way, keeping others informed, and responding in a timely fashion.
(c) We will be respectful of established City processes and guidelines.
(6) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be communicative.
(a) We will convey the City's care for and commitment to its citizens.
(b) We will communicate in various ways that we are approachable, open- minded and willing to participate in dialogue.
(c) We will engage in effective communication, by listening carefully,
asking questions, and determining an appropriate response which adds
value to conversations.
(7) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be collaborative.
(a) We will act in a cooperative manner with groups and other
individuals, working together in a spirit of tolerance and
understanding.
(b) We will work towards consensus building and gain value from diverse opinions.
(c) We will accomplish the goals and responsibilities of our individual
positions, while respecting our roles as members of a team.
(d) We will consider the broader regional and Statewide implications of the City's decisions and issues.
(8) As representatives of the City of Dunwoody, we will be progressive.
(a) We will exhibit a proactive, innovative approach to setting goals and conducting the City's business.
(b) We will display a style that maintains consistent standards, but is
also sensitive to the need for compromise, "thinking outside the box,"
and improving existing paradigms when necessary.
(c) We will promote intelligent and thoughtful innovation in order to forward the City's policy agenda and City services.
