Dale Martin
City Manager
City of Fernandina Beach
February 26, 2016 1:00 a.m.
The organization that represents professional government managers is the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA; based in Washington, D.C.). I became a member of this organization shortly after beginning my first municipal manager job in Lexington, Michigan, on April 1, 1996. As with most professional organizations, the ICMA offers professional training opportunities, employment notices, and other professional support. A key achievement for many managers is to earn the designation of “Credentialed Manager,” which recognizes length of service and an ongoing commitment to professional development. Florida is one of the leading states with the number of credentialed managers (121; trailing only North Carolina, 124).
Perhaps the most critical component of ICMA membership, however, is the ICMA Code of Ethics. This Code was originally adopted in 1924 (amended in 2015) and begins with the following statement:
The mission of ICMA is to create excellence in local government by developing and fostering professional local government management worldwide. To further this mission, certain principles, as enforced by the Rules of Procedure, shall govern the conduct of every member of ICMA…
What follows are twelve tenets and supporting guidelines for the professional managers. While all of the tenets are valuable, I would like to highlight a few that I consider to be critical to my conduct as a professional manager.
Tenet 3- Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order that the member may merit the respect and confidence of the elected officials, of other officials and employees, and of the public. The supporting guidelines of this tenet address public confidence, impression of influence, appointment commitment, credentials, professional respect, reporting ethics violations, confidentiality, and seeking employment.
Tenet 4- Recognize that the chief function of local government at all times is to serve the best interests of all the people. This tenet’s guidelines indicate that two years is considered the minimum length of service to serve a community professionally. In other words, an ICMA member is expected, except in very unusual circumstances, to fulfill at least a two-year commitment when accepting an appointment. Reciprocally, though, it is expected that the community will enable a newly-appointed manager to have the opportunity to serve for two years.
Tenet 7- Refrain from all political activities which undermine the public confidence in professional administrators. Refrain from participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body. The supporting guidelines are extensive for this principle, and many ethics violations result from the failure to follow the associated guidelines.
Members are to maintain a reputation for serving all members of the governing body equally and impartially. Members are instructed to not participate in an election campaign on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for the governing body. Members are also restricted from participating in the election campaign of mayors or elected county executives. I believe that this is good policy for all city employees (but they are not bound by my professional Code of Ethics).
Members are not allowed to run for elected office or participate in political activities related to running for such office. The guidelines specifically state: “…in order not to impair their effectiveness on behalf of the local governments they serve, they [members] shall not participate in political activities to support the candidacy of individuals running for any city, county, special district, school, state or federal offices. They shall not endorse candidates, make financial contributions, sign or circulate petitions, or participate in fund-raising activities for individuals seeking or holding office.” Essentially, my political activities are limited solely to my duty to cast a vote (thankfully, this restriction provides me a very simple response to fundraising overtures- I can never be accused of being mistaken for George Soros or the Koch brothers).
Finally, Tenet 12- Public office is a public trust. A member shall not leverage his or her position for personal gain or benefit. The related guidelines address gifts and investments that create the appearance of impropriety or a conflict of interest. Other conflicts specifically addressed are personal relationships, confidential information, private employment, representation, and endorsements.
I maintain a full copy of the ICMA Code of Ethics in my office. Those words are a daily reminder of the trust and expectations that have been bestowed upon me. As I indicated, I believe the tenets are applicable to all city employees, but only Ms. Adrienne Burke (Community Development Department Director) and myself are members of the ICMA (I am aware of a few retired ICMA members in our community, though). I promise to the residents of Fernandina Beach that I will continue to honor the ICMA Code of Ethics and ably represent our community.
That Mr. Martin contributes to the Observer on a weekly basis impresses me. I am very pleased that he knows and follows the ICMA Code of Ethics. Our society and our community need such fine examples among our governing officials.
Noteworthy also is that Adrienne Burke is a member of ICMA.
Good to know.
And – thanks for the weekly message.
Great imformation! Thanks to both Mr Martin and Ms Burke for their expertise, professionalism and commitment to our island and to being 100% open and transparent. This entire idea of weekly reports is refreshing and welcomed.