Ethics Committee

Purpose

The public trust requires public servants to fulfill their duties faithfully and honestly and to subordinate any personal interest which conflicts with the public interest. A public servant is a trustee of the people and should strive to further the general welfare and not use public office in order to improve his or her own private standing.

The principal policies which form the foundation of this code of ethics are:
 
(A) Public trust in the integrity of government is cultivated when individual public servants act with integrity and when the public is aware that its servants act with integrity.
 
(B) In speaking about the conduct of those in public service, or in responding to others who speak about it, express approval of positive ethical principles and behavior and refrain from unjustly disparaging or demeaning those who advocate ethical principles or practice ethical behavior.
 
(C) Recognize that the most effective way to eradicate unethical practices is to consistently act ethically and to consistently react appropriately with respect to the ethical decisions of others. 
 
(D) Exercise sound judgment to act ethically in situations where others may be inclined to act unethically. 

Read the ordinance here.
 
Committee Members
 
Mr. Charles E. “Charlie” Bailey
Attorney and Counselor at Law

Dr. Mark Douglas
Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Master of Divinity degree program
Columbia Theological Seminary

Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson, Ret.
 
 

Filing a Complaint

All complaints against City Commissioners shall be filed in writing with the ethics committee. Download a copy of the complaint form here.  Complaints can be sent via the United States Postal Service to:
 
Ethics Committee
City of Decatur
PO Box 220
Decatur, GA 30031
ATTN: City Manager
 
 
Complaints can be delivered in person during regular business hours to:
 
Ethics Committee
City of Decatur
509 North McDonough St.
Decatur, GA 30030
ATTN: City Manager
 

Complaints can be sent via email to ethics.committee@decaturga.com