Peachtree

City is on its way to becoming an official "City of

Ethics," having started that process by the recent

adoption of an ethics ordinance and resolution by the

City Council.

The Georgia

Municipal Association has established a new Certified

City of Ethics program that will "give city

officials an opportunity to publicly demonstrate their

commitment to the highest standards of ethical

conduct," according to a written statement from the

city.

After

reviewing the standards set by the GMA, the city's

attorneys and staff put together an amendment to the

city's current code of ethics. The proposed changes

include the following:

Prohibiting elected

officials and employees from using the city attorney for

personal use without paying just compensation.

Prohibiting elected

officials and employees from using their position to

coerce others to provide financial benefits to them or

any people connected to them.

Restricting contracts with

current and former elected officials and employees.

Establishing an ethics

committee of citizens to investigate and decide charges

of violations.

Continuing to restrict

elected officials' and employees' acceptance of gifts or

services that could improperly influence the discharge of

their official duties.

Prohibiting full-time

employees from engaging in outside employment that would

interfere with the interests of their city service.

Prohibiting political

campaigning by employees during times they are expected

to perform their work and receive compensation from the

city.