2004 ACMA WINTER CONFERENCE

WHO

WANTS

TO

BE

AN

ETHICAL

PUBLIC OFFICIAL?

PLAYING TO WIN $1,000,000 IN ACMA BUCKS$$

February 5, 2004 Moderator: Jim Keene

(Regis wanna be)

Contestants: To be selected from

ACMA Members

WHO WANTS TO BE AN ETHICAL PUBLIC OFFICIAL?PLAYING FOR ACMA BUCKS$$$

WHO WANTS TO BE AN ETHICAL PUBLIC OFFICIAL? PLAYING FOR ACMA BUCKS$ is based upon the t.v. show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" It has the same steps and progression for the contestants to win $1 million by correctly answering multiple choice questions on ethics. There is one lifeline: call a friend, contestants may ask the audience for help. Audience members will have an opportunity to be contestants.

The basis for the proposed correct answers is consistency with the values of the ICMA codes of ethics and generally accepted ethical principles.

The presentation is based on the premise that discussion of ethical issues and principles can be both informative and entertaining.

$100 A County Manager is issued a

county credit card. She can use it to:

A. Pay for meals and lodging while traveling on County business.

C. Buy the airline tickets for her second honeymoon as long as she repays the county.

B. Take her family out to dinner.

D. Buy a bottle of scotch for her favorite county commissioner.

*

$100 A County Manager is issued a

county credit card. She can use it to:

A. Pay for meals and lodging while traveling on County business.

$200 One of your friends sends you an email at work

containing one of the funniest jokes you have ever seen. It is off-color both in language and visuals.

What should you do with the email?

A. Send it to select co- workers who you think will enjoy it.

C. Send it to a select list of your MMASC colleagues

who you think will enjoy it.

B. Send it only to your brother-in-law and immediately delete it.

D. Delete it before anyone else sees it.

*

$200 One of your friends sends you an email at work

containing one of the funniest jokes you have ever seen. It is off-color both in language and visuals.

What should you do with the email?

D. Delete it before anyone else sees it.

$300Which of the following can a Council person

pass on to a City employee?

A. Discount coupons to an amusement park

C. Rolex Wristwatch

B. An insider stock tip on the Council person’s company

D. None of the above

*

$300Which of the following can a Council person

pass on to a City employee?

D. None of the above

$500During a heated discussion with several council

members, your Assistant Manager is blamed for a costly mistake that you actually made. You're

quite certain the false accusation won't harm her career; however the truth could hurt you.

What do you do?

A. Recommend that the assistant be fired.

B. Remain silent, admission could cost you your job.

D. Buy your assistant a beer -- sympathize with her

unfair treatment.

C. Tell the council that the mistake was yours.

*

$500During a heated discussion with several council

members, your Assistant Manager is blamed for a costly mistake that you actually made. You're

quite certain the false accusation won't harm her career; however the truth could hurt you.

What do you do?

C. Tell the council that the mistake was yours.

$1,000You accidentally discover that your colleague Linda lied

on her County employment application and the qualifications she lied about were instrumental in her

being hired by the County. But Linda has consistently demonstrated her ability to handle her job.

What should you do?

A. Say nothing, what's important is her ability to do her job.

C. Discuss it with your supervisor and Human Resources Director.

B. Ask for her help in enhancing your

resume

D. Send anonymous letter to the County Manager and the local newspaper.

*

$1,000You accidentally discover that your colleague Linda lied

on her County employment application and the qualifications she lied about were instrumental in her

being hired by the County. But Linda has consistently demonstrated her ability to handle her job.

What should you do?

C. Discuss it with your supervisor and Human Resources Director.

$2,000As the HR Director you are responsible for hiring a Finance Director for the City. Sandy, a long time friend of yours has

applied. You think Sandy could do the job, but other applicants are somewhat more qualified. As a single Mom

though, Sandy really needs the job. Do you hire Sandy?

A. Yes, loyalty is very important, she meets minimum qualifications.

C. No, my duty to my employer is to hire the most qualified person.

B. Yes, golden rule: if reversed, would want to be hired.

D. No, not fair, merit is important in government.

*

$2,000As the HR Director you are responsible for hiring a Finance Director for the City. Sandy, a long time friend of yours has

applied. You think Sandy could do the job, but other applicants are somewhat more qualified. As a single Mom

though, Sandy really needs the job. Do you hire Sandy?

C. No, my duty to my employer is to hire the most qualified person.

$4,000You speak on Sunday to an adult forum of a local church on City downtown revitalization. The church is located in the downtown and is interested in how the proposed projects

may affect them. At the end of your presentation the congregation President hands you an envelope containing an

honorarium check for $50 and explains that "this is in appreciation of you giving up your Sunday morning."

Do you accept the honorarium?

A. Yes, it conflicts with your golf game or the NFL game of the week.

C. Yes, beyond normal duty -- you missed time with your family.

B. No, it’s part of the job, no extra compensation.

D. Yes, but you promise to donate it to your favorite charity.

*

$4,000You speak on Sunday to an adult forum of a local church on City downtown revitalization. The church is located in the downtown and is interested in how the proposed projects

may affect them. At the end of your presentation the congregation President hands you an envelope containing an

honorarium check for $50 and explains that "this is in appreciation of you giving up your Sunday morning."

Do you accept the honorarium?

B. No, it’s part of the job, no extra compensation.

$8,000City police officers meet each day for lunch at a nearby

restaurant. You are a recent Police Academy graduate and newly hired. You join the other officers for lunch. As you go

to pay the check, you notice that the amount has been reduced by 50%. When you question the cashier she says, “the owner is glad to have you officers around.” The other

officers pay their reduced checks and leave. What do you do?

A. Thank the owner for the discount and ask if it covers breakfast and dinner also.

C. Accuse the owner of trying to bribe you and arrest him.

B. Pay the full bill -- no gratuities to public employees

D. Pay the discounted bill but leave an equal

amount as a tip. *

$8,000City police officers meet each day for lunch at a nearby

restaurant. You are a recent Police Academy graduate and newly hired. You join the other officers for lunch. As you go

to pay the check, you notice that the amount has been reduced by 50%. When you question the cashier she says, “the owner is glad to have you officers around.” The other

officers pay their reduced checks and leave. What do you do?

B. Pay the full bill -- no gratuities to public employees

$16,000As a City/County Manager you are asked to endorse various

products and services. Which of the following endorsements can you ethically do?

A. A T.V. promotion endorsing the USC-MPA program for a fee.

C. Provide favorable comments on the work an engineering firm did on a drainage project for an article that they are doing in a public works magazine.

B. Provide a favorable comment on the good work the contractor did on the building project for use in a promotional brochure

D. Review and comment on a GIS book that a friend is writing for use by local government professionals. The comments will help market the book.

*

$16,000As a City/County Manager you are asked to endorse various

products and services. Which of the following endorsements can you ethically do?

C. Provide favorable comments on the work an engineering firm did on a drainage project for an article that they are doing in a public works magazine.

$32,000As the new Assistant City Manager, it is your job to get control over the

City Utility Department. You find serious mismanagement and are surprised that the City Manager didn’t get this situation under control

sooner. The biggest error that you find is that the city over billed customers outside the city limits. The errors no longer occur because a new software update has eliminated them. You can’t tell from reviewing

the records whether anyone reported this to the City Manager. The system is in debt, rates were raised substantially last year and the higher rates are a hot issue in the current Council election campaign. Repaying the overcharges would have a serious financial impact on city. Disclosure

would also damage bond ratings and public confidence. Since the auditors have not found this mistake, it probably will not be discovered

unless the City makes it known. What do you do?

A. You do nothing because the over billed customers don't live in your City.

C. You take the issue to the City Manager and recommend restitution to the customers.

B. You send records to the Mayor in other city.

D. You declare whistle blowers status and call a press

conference to announce the error.

*

$32,000As the new Assistant City Manager, it is your job to get control over the

City Utility Department. You find serious mismanagement and are surprised that the City Manager didn’t get this situation under control

sooner. The biggest error that you find is that the city over billed customers outside the city limits. The errors no longer occur because a new software update has eliminated them. You can’t tell from reviewing

the records whether anyone reported this to the City Manager. The system is in debt, rates were raised substantially last year and the higher rates are a hot issue in the current Council election campaign. Repaying the overcharges would have a serious financial impact on city. Disclosure

would also damage bond ratings and public confidence. Since the auditors have not found this mistake, it probably will not be discovered

unless the City makes it known. What do you do?

C. You take the issue to the City Manager and recommend restitution to the customers.

$64,000As Parks and Recreation Director you are pleased that the

City Manager and Council have approved your recommendation to upgrade five playgrounds. It is your

responsibility to obtain bids, identify the lowest bidder and then make a recommendation to the City Manager and

Council. One manufacturer is so confident of his product line that he offers to pay for you and your spouse to spend

the weekend visiting another City which purchased the equipment.

What should you do? A. You accept the vendor's offer and list the trip on your financial disclosure form.

C. You believe it is in the City's interest to pay for your visit to other communities to compare the most competitive bids.

B. You turn down the offer, might compromise your objectivity.

D. You contact the other bidders to arrange similar free trips to ensure there is no favoritism to one vendor.

*

$64,000As Parks and Recreation Director you are pleased that the

City Manager and Council have approved your recommendation to upgrade five playgrounds. It is your

responsibility to obtain bids, identify the lowest bidder and then make a recommendation to the City Manager and

Council. One manufacturer is so confident of his product line that he offers to pay for you and your spouse to spend

the weekend visiting another City which purchased the equipment.

What should you do?

B. You turn down the offer, might compromise your objectivity.

$125,000As ACM you have watched Dan, the City Manager who

promoted you, drink to excess at private parties and on public occasions. You know Dan has driven while drunk

because you were in the car. You know Dan's judgment has been impaired by alcohol at city Council meetings because

you have been asked to cover for him. What do you do?

A. You do nothing so as to not risk your relationship with Dan.

C. You intentionally become drunk and make a fool of yourself at a public event

to show Dan the impact of his problem.

B. You meet with Dan to request he get treatment.

D. You borrow the Police Department's Breathalyzer to test Dan.

*

$125,000As ACM you have watched Dan, the City Manager who

promoted you, drink to excess at private parties and on public occasions. You know Dan has driven while drunk

because you were in the car. You know Dan's judgment has been impaired by alcohol at city Council meetings because

you have been asked to cover for him. What do you do?

B. You meet with Dan to request he get treatment.

250,000 Ann is a new personnel clerk in the Human Resources Department. Her six

months probation ends soon and she is looking forward to her evaluation with her supervisor, Steve, the Personnel Manager. She will learn then whether she

becomes a regular employee. The City has an RFP out to hire a consultant to do training for the city. Ann comes to work early one day to see Steve hand Sam, the owner of a training firm, a package of information that looks like the cost proposal requirements which is confidential because cost is a factor in the RFP selection

process. Steve and Sam used to work together for the same consulting firm. Sam is saying, "Thanks Buddy, I won't forget this. See you soon." He winks as he

leaves. Steve smiles, says good morning to Ann and goes into his office. Ann, during her short tenure, has not previously observed any questionable actions by

Steve. What should Ann do?

A. Completely ignore what she has seen.

C. Ask Steve to contact Sam for her to work part-time at his company.

B. Go to Steve and inquire, if not satisfied share concern with Human Resources Director.

D. Share her concerns with the Human Resources Director. *

250,000 Ann is a new personnel clerk in the Human Resources Department. Her six

months probation ends soon and she is looking forward to her evaluation with her supervisor, Steve, the Personnel Manager. She will learn then whether she

becomes a regular employee. The City has an RFP out to hire a consultant to do training for the city. Ann comes to work early one day to see Steve hand Sam, the owner of a training firm, a package of information that looks like the cost proposal requirements which is confidential because cost is a factor in the RFP selection

process. Steve and Sam used to work together for the same consulting firm. Sam is saying, "Thanks Buddy, I won't forget this. See you soon." He winks as he

leaves. Steve smiles, says good morning to Ann and goes into his office. Ann, during her short tenure, has not previously observed any questionable actions by

Steve. What should Ann do?

B. Go to Steve and inquire, if not satisfied share concern with Human Resources Director.

$500,000Louise is a valued, long time employee of the County, worked for you for over 10

years and is the kind of employee you can depend on to put in extra time and effort. In times of crisis, she always rises to the challenge. You really owe her a

lot. Louise comes to you one day to admit that for some time she has been "borrowing" money from the petty cash fund and writing false receipts to cover it.

It was never much, usually $25 or $30 and she always repaid it. Her conscience bothers her so much now that she had to confess. You are surprised at her

actions as her previous conduct has been exemplary. Under personnel policy, her action could result in dismissal.

Do you fire her?

A. Yes, she committed misdemeanor criminal offenses and warrants dismissal.

C. No, because you probably would not have found out if Louise didn't confess and

you want to encourage employees to admit mistakes.

B. Yes, she may do it again and it sends the wrong message to employees.

D. No, but you reprimand and suspend her while

removing any responsibility for County funds from her.

*

$500,000Louise is a valued, long time employee of the County, worked for you for over 10

years and is the kind of employee you can depend on to put in extra time and effort. In times of crisis, she always rises to the challenge. You really owe her a

lot. Louise comes to you one day to admit that for some time she has been "borrowing" money from the petty cash fund and writing false receipts to cover it.

It was never much, usually $25 or $30 and she always repaid it. Her conscience bothers her so much now that she had to confess. You are surprised at her

actions as her previous conduct has been exemplary. Under personnel policy, her action could result in dismissal.

Do you fire her?

D. No, but you reprimand and suspend her while removing any responsibility for County funds from her.

$1,000,000As Personnel Director you learn at an Executive Management meeting

that the City Manager's proposed budget contains major reorganizations and reductions in managerial staff due to City financial constraints. One

proposal will result in the termination of David a close friend of the family. The City Manager, whose judgment you respect, mentions Dave’s poor

performance and as the meeting ends reminds everyone that the discussion is confidential as usual. As you leave, you remember that David is about to make a substantial down payment on a new home.

What do you do?

A. You do and say nothing as directed by the City

Manager.

C. Say nothing and help David get another job when the

time comes.

B. Tell David immediately and directly as that is what

friends are for.

D. Tell David and other City employees that budget cuts mean that a shake-up is imminent -- avoid new

commitments at this time. *

$1,000,000As Personnel Director you learn at an Executive Management meeting

that the City Manager's proposed budget contains major reorganizations and reductions in managerial staff due to City financial constraints. One

proposal will result in the termination of David a close friend of the family. The City Manager, whose judgment you respect, mentions Dave’s poor

performance and as the meeting ends reminds everyone that the discussion is confidential as usual. As you leave, you remember that David is about to make a substantial down payment on a new home.

What do you do?

A. You do and say nothing as directed by the City

Manager.

YOU ARE AN

ETHICAL PUBLIC

OFFICIAL AND A

MILLIONAIRE!

$1,000,000