Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
February 24, 2017 1:00 a.m.
At Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, the City Attorney announced an ethics training opportunity for City Commissioners. Florida statutes require four hours of annual ethics training for elected and key appointed officials. This year, the City is encouraging other staff and board and commission members to participate in the training.
I strongly support the rationale and efforts for ethics training and awareness. Very few other jobs are subject to the ongoing scrutiny that most public officials are subject to. It is imperative that appropriate ethics be sustained so as to maintain the public trust.
Last year, I offered a brief summary of a few components of the International City/County Managers Association Code of Ethics. Those tenets were upholding honor and integrity; serving the public interests; refraining from political activity; and accepting the public trust. Please consider three more (of the twelve) tenets of the Code of Ethics.
Tenet 2- Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by government and maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude toward local government affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted public servant.
The political environment is almost a toxic stew at all levels. Deliberative discussions have been overtaken by bluster and bullying. Moderation has departed, positions are solidified and staked out. Too many people have become skeptical of government, and, in all honesty, some of that skepticism is deserved. Most of us do want to maintain the dignity and honor associated with public service.
Tenet 10- Resist any encroachment on professional responsibilities, believing the member should be free to carry out official policies without interference, and handle each problem without discrimination on the basis of principle and justice.
I have been fortunate throughout my career to have served Councils and Commissions that have not interfered with my managerial duties and responsibilities. I have never been directed by an elected official to do something that would be inappropriate or unethical. The Councilors and Commissioners have recognized the separation of duties and provided the direction and guidance necessary to support their visions and goals.
Tenet 11- Handle all matters of personnel on the basis of merit so that fairness and impartiality govern a member’s decision, pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline.
This tenet can be a remarkable challenge. Difficult decisions have to be made that sometimes affect employees who have also become friends. I contend that one of the most significant challenges of management is recognizing when to effectively replace the “friendly co-worker” hat with the “boss” hat. That challenge can also be difficult for subordinate employees to also comprehend. I am charged with the responsibility for the greater organization, which often supersedes individual desires. Honest and forthright annual evaluations can create tension, but those evaluations are necessary for the appropriate professional development of staff.
Unlike most of my peers, I have traditionally requested that my evaluations be conducted in an open session. I believe that openness provides an opportunity for not only the governing body to evaluate me, but for also the general public, with which I often conduct business unseen to the City Commission, to offer comments, as well.
I meet with all of the current Commissioners on a regular weekly basis. I value those discussions regarding things that are going well, not so well, and things that need further consideration. That open communication is invaluable.
Again, I applaud the State of Florida for mandating ethics training. The circumstances and conditions in which we operate have different pitfalls from many other professions (and the part-time nature of the elected officials sometimes makes those officials more susceptible to missteps). I look forward to continuing to uphold the ethics provisions of the ICMA, the State of Florida, and most importantly, my personal ethical code.