Canton Set To Review Ethics Ordinance

CANTON, MI — Sometimes, no matter how well a car is running, you need to look under the hood and give everything a thorough look to make sure it stays in peak working order. That’s the approach Canton is taking with a review of its ethics ordinance Tuesday night.

Trustees will hold a study session starting at 6 p.m. at township hall with the idea of fine tuning the ordinance, which was first adopted in 2009. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the first-floor board room.

“I’m not of the opinion that we have any ethics issues in Canton Township today,” said Supervisor Pat Williams. “I don’t expect sweeping changes.”

The study session is part of a series of meetings to help get new trustees up to speed on township operations. Williams said trustee Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, who spearheaded the drive for Canton to adopt its first ethics ordinance in 2008, requested the meeting.

As it currently stands, the ordinance covers:

• Standards of ethical conduct
• Disclosures and voting

Eight different areas are addressed in the ordinance’s ethical conduct section. Employees, public officers, contractors and volunteers may not “represent his or her personal opinion as that of the township.” Those connected to the township also can’t intentionally use their office or position for personal gain or benefit.

In terms of disclosures and voting, “a public officer shall disclose any contractual, financial, business, or employment interest he/she or immediate family members may have in the governmental decision and the disclosure will be made part of the public record of the official action on the governmental decision.”

Disciplinary action can be taken against employees or others violating the ordinance. Penalties range up to and including termination. An elected official’s salary, however, cannot be reduced during his or her term in office under the ordinance.

Williams described the study session as maintenance, more than looking to make major changes.

“The character of our employees and their ability to do the right thing is outstanding,” said Williams. “We have a good group of people here.”

Photo by North Charleston via Flickr Commons