Following the ethics review process outlined in the Rules of Procedure for Enforcement of the ICMA Code of Ethics, the ICMA Executive Board voted to approve the following recommendation from ICMA’s Committee on Professional Conduct (CPC) during its September 20, 2024 meeting:

Ronald Sena, village manager, Ruidoso, New Mexico, was publicly censured for conduct that violated Tenets 3 and 7. Sena violated village policy and state law when he used a village-owned cell phone to send text messages to seven village employees with a link to sign the incumbent village mayor’s petition seeking election for state office. Sena also used a village-owned vehicle to deliver hard copy petitions to several locations. The board concurred with the CPC’s conclusion that a manager cannot effectively serve the community, organization, or governing body when the member engages in political activity that has the potential to undermine public confidence in the manager’s political neutrality, as well as erode trust in the organization’s ability to serve all stakeholders equally. 

Every version of the Code since 1924 has reaffirmed political neutrality as a core value for ICMA members as outlined in Tenet 7.  Tenet 3 pertains to members' ethical obligation to uphold public trust in their position and the local government management profession as well as demonstrating the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in their personal and professional lives. 

As a member benefit, ICMA provides confidential advice to members who need guidance to resolve an ethical dilemma or may be uncertain of their ethical obligations. Contact Jessica Cowles, ethics director, at jcowles@icma.org for a discussion. Frequently asked questions, ethics advice, and the ICMA Code of Ethics are available online.