Ethics

School Superintendent Wants City Manager’s Support

Q. The school superintendent has asked the city manager to support the school’s bond issue campaign. Does the ICMA Code of Ethics allow her to publicly endorse this bond issue?

A. The first question for the city manager to ask herself is whether her governing body has taken a public position on this issue. If the governing body has passed a resolution supporting the school bond issue, then Tenet 7’s guideline on “Presentation of Issues” makes it easy for the city manager to lend public support: “Members may assist the governing body in presenting issues involved in referenda such as bond issues, annexations, and similar matters.”

If the governing body is divided or the issue is contentious, ICMA advises members to proceed carefully. ICMA members may lend their support to the issue but may want to do so behind the scenes to avoid becoming a lightning rod for dissenters. Would members of the governing board or the public think the city manager is using her position inappropriately to advocate for this bond issue?

The ICMA Code of Ethics permits ICMA members to offer public support for ballot issues. Members typically lend their support in a highly professional manner to minimize the potential for criticism or complaints.

How Can Managers Help Other Communities Recruit Managers?

Q. Can a city or county manager serve as a paid or volunteer recruiter for a manager position in another local government?

A. While many jurisdictions use executive search firms to help them hire a professional city manager, some communities seek the guidance of professional local government managers to assist them. Such communities may want assistance in advising on the recruitment process, reviewing and updating a job description, developing interview questions, writing a job ad, and/or helping to screen résumés for the elected officials to interview. All of these tasks are appropriate. ICMA members usually do not participate in the interview process itself, knowing that it is best for the elected officials to make that decision without the outside influence of a peer.

ICMA members are careful to provide recruitment assistance only if they are sure they will not apply for the position themselves. Likewise, when serving as the interim manager, it is important for members from the outset to clearly state whether they have an interest in applying for the open position.

As with any consulting work, ICMA advises members to avoid accepting paid work in neighboring jurisdictions in order to minimize the potential for a conflict of interest.

Ethics advice is a popular service provided to ICMA members. The ICMA Executive Board members who serve on the Committee on Professional Conduct review the inquiries and advice published in PM magazine. ICMA members who have questions about their obligations under the ICMA Code of Ethics are encouraged to call Martha Perego at 202/962-3668 or Elizabeth Kellar at 202/962-3611.

Learn about the benefits of joining ICMA and receiving PM magazine as part of your benefits package at http://icma.org/join. To subscribe to PM, call 202/289-ICMA (202/289-4262) or e-mail bookstoremanager@icma.org.