GMA Designation - City of Ethics

The City of McDonough was one of eleven Georgia cities which received the "Certified City of Ethics" designation at the GMA's Annual Convention in Savannah on June 28, 2005. There are now 148 cities in Georgia which have received the designation. The cities of Braselton, Centerville, East Point, Euharlee, Flowery Branch, Greensboro, Helen, McDonough, St. Marys, Savannah and Waycross are the latest additions to the program. The voluntary program, developed by a panel of business and government leaders, encourages cities to adopt and adhere to a set of key ethical principles and a comprehensive ethics ordinance.

What is the purpose of the Cities of Ethics Program?
Certification under this program is a way to recognize cities that have adopted principles and procedures that offer guidance on ethical issues, along with a mechanism to resolve complaints at the local level. The program is not in any way an attempt to sanction past or present conduct by the city or any city official. Rather, it is an attempt to raise awareness about ethics issues at the local level and provide a local forum for the airing and resolution of legitimate concerns. The use of a local ethics ordinance allows citizens to raise their concerns and participate in the ethics investigation process at the local level, where the voice and influence of the individual citizen is strongest.

• Serve others, not ourselves
• Use resources with efficiency and economy
• Treat all people fairly
• Use the power of our position for the well being of our constituents
• Create an environment of honesty, openness and integrity

The adopted resolution must include or at least reference the definitions of these principles. A sample resolution is available on the GMA website. All elected officials are required to sign the resolution.