Advice

The Board of Ethics and ethics officer are responsible for interpreting the Code of Ethics and advising officials and employees how to comply with the city's ethical standards.  The Board issues formal advisory opinions, and the ethics officer writes advisory letters and provides other written advice.

Formal Advisory Opinions

• Summary of opinions
• Index of opinions by code section
• Index of opinions by subject
• Pending questions
• Requirements
  • Must request in writing
  • Generally involves policy issues
  • Takes 90 to 120 days 
  • Serves in mitigation in any enforcement proceeding for persons who fully disclose all relevant facts

Informal Advisory Letters 

• Ethics officer renders
• Generally involves individual issues
• Takes 7 to 30 days

Other written advice 

• Ethics office renders
• Involves well settled issues
• Takes 1 to 14 days

How to Seek Advice
To seek advice, persons may contact the Ethics Office, review the frequently asked questions or read the Ethical Guidelines for Employees, Board Members, NPU Officers, or Elected Officials.

Public Records
Both the formal opinions and informal letters are subject to the Open Records Act, but only the board's formal advisory opinions are posted online.