Ethics: What is the “Right” Decision? ACMA 2015 Summer Conference Lloyd Harrell and Jeff Tyne

“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are…”-Roy Disney However, it’s NOT just about you…

Two Value Spheres Overlap…

“Yes, a “D” will be fine, that’s all she needs.”

WE S N Influencers on Your Decisions… Our Moral Compass…

Influencers on Your Decisions… Major Economic Engines Powerful Players Images/Perceptions Given these influences, it’s easy to rationalize our decisions

Helping Us Make Ethical Decisions

1.Recognize the ethical issues Who is damaged? Is this a legal issue? What is the headline? 2.Get the facts Do I have the full story? What are the perspectives? 3.Develop Alternatives Most good/least harm Treat people equally? Assure Integrity of organization Do you feel right personally? 4.Decision Time 5.Time for Reflection Ethics Decision-Making Model

Three Simple Questions 1.Are there any ethical dilemmas? 2.Which of the ICMA Tenets are challenged? 3.What should be the course of action? What Now?

Ethics Decision #1 A developer is proposing a major commercial retail project for your community, and is asking for assistance from the town to make the “numbers work”. To ensure the town’s interests are appropriately addressed, you as the Manager assign a cross-functional team of town staffers to negotiate a development agreement between parties. During the negotiation period, the developer continues to meet with councilmembers to offer status updates, and to advocate for her project. Not all councilmembers are supportive of the project. Eventually a package is put together which attempts to address the interests of both parties. You work to place the packaged agreement on an upcoming council agenda. Just prior to the public hearing with Council, the developer meets privately with you, a swing councilmember and the Mayor. Surprising, the Mayor and councilmember start to negotiate with the developer to donate $50,000 of play ground equipment to a local neighborhood park.

Ethics Decision #2 You as Manager have an excellent relationship with one of the councilmembers, and receive a lot of political support from him regarding your recommendations. More than the others, the councilmember prefers regular weekly meetings with the manager to get updated on all important city matters. As a result, you offer more information to this particular councilmember than the other councilmembers. Based on your strong relationship, the Councilmember asks for political advice on a budget item that you both support.

Ethics Decision #3 You are representing your jurisdiction at the regional Council of Governments meeting. On the agenda is a discussion on how the region should spend $10 million of new federal Homeland Security Block Grants. One option for funding is to allocate grant dollars based on need; building a criteria for scoring, and having cities submit proposed funding packages. Funding decisions could then be voted on by the Council as a Whole. Option two is to allocate funds on a per capita basis. All cities would receive funding equally. This option appears easy to administer, and takes the political dynamic out of the equation. Your city is not likely to receive funding on a “needs” basis. You expect that a “per capita” basis would place more funds in your community. However, there are clearly larger regional public safety needs to address.

Ethics Decision #4 The City’s Community Services Director will be retiring soon. She is a lifelong resident of the community and has worked for the organization for over 30 years. In addition to her public service, she has been very active in various service groups and nonprofit organizations. Policy prohibits use of City funds for recognizing specific individuals. Several elected officials suggested seeking funds from several non- profits, business owners, and employees to support the event. There is pressure for the City Manager to seek these contributions.

Ethics Decision #5 You are a strong proponent of sustainable practices in the workplace. However, the majority of your council has stated that sustainability is a concept derived from a political agenda and is a waste of resources. You would like to move forward with a series of sustainable management practices that are proven cost savers.