Minot city employees would be required to adhere to conduct standards if the Minot City Council adopts a proposed code of ethics when it meets next Monday.

The council’s Finance and Improvements Committee Tuesday advanced a code of ethics to the council on a 4-1 vote.

Council member Tom Seymour, who voted against adoption, voiced concern over how the city will measure compliance. He questioned how the city would determine whether someone is being impartial, what type of gift acceptance is improper or whether an employee is delivering quality service.

“To me, it sounds like there’s some gray areas in there,” he said. “There seems to be a lot of holes in this policy, and I think we should reject it.”

The heading to the proposed code indicates the purpose is “to ensure every citizen has confidence in the integrity of the City of Minot Government.”

Specifically, the code states that employees shall:

– be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in public and personal relationships.

– take personal responsibility for the quality of service or representation provided to each citizen so as to deliver the best possible service or representation in a friendly, receptive and courteous manner.

– act impartially and adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

– as a supervisor, handle all personnel matters on the basis of merit so that fairness and impartiality govern decisions pertaining to appointments, promotions, pay adjustments and discipline.

– satisfy the same obligations as other citizens, including paying owed taxes.

– not conduct official business on matters for which they have substantial and direct financial interests, except as allowed by law.

– not engage in financial transactions using non-public information or allow the improper use of such information by others to further any private interest.

– perform official duties on a “best efforts” basis.

– make no unauthorized commitment or promise purporting to bind the city.

– protect and conserve public property and use it only for authorized activities.

– disclose waste, fraud, abuse and corruption to appropriate authorities.

– avoid soliciting or accepting any item of monetary value from anyone seeking official action or conducting activities regulated by the employee’s department.

– not engage in outside employment or activities that conflict with official city duties. If outside employment is performed, it must comply with department standards of conduct and meet any requirement for city approval.