Transcript 2000 TCMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

2004 ACMA WINTER
CONFERENCE
WHO
WANTS
TO
BE
AN
ETHICAL
PUBLIC OFFICIAL?
PLAYING TO WIN
February 5, 2004
$1,000,000
IN ACMA BUCKS$$
Moderator: Jim Keene
(Regis wanna be)
Contestants: To be selected from
ACMA Members
WHO WANTS TO BE AN ETHICAL PUBLIC OFFICIAL?
PLAYING FOR ACMA BUCKS$$$
WHO WANTS TO BE AN ETHICAL PUBLIC OFFICIAL? PLAYING
FOR ACMA BUCKS$ is based upon the t.v. show "Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire?" It has the same steps and progression for the contestants
to win $1 million by correctly answering multiple choice questions on
ethics. There is one lifeline: call a friend, contestants may ask the
audience for help. Audience members will have an opportunity to be
contestants.
The basis for the proposed correct answers is consistency with the
values of the ICMA codes of ethics and generally accepted ethical
principles.
The presentation is based on the premise that discussion of ethical
issues and principles can be both informative and entertaining.
$100
A County Manager is issued a
county credit card.
She can use it to:
A. Pay for meals and
lodging while traveling
on County business.
B. Take her family out to
dinner.
C. Buy the airline tickets for
her second honeymoon
as long as she repays the
county.
D. Buy a bottle of scotch for
her favorite county
commissioner.
*
$100
A County Manager is issued a
county credit card.
She can use it to:
A. Pay for meals and
lodging while traveling
on County business.
$200
One of your friends sends you an email at work
containing one of the funniest jokes you have ever
seen. It is off-color both in language and visuals.
What should you do with the email?
A. Send it to select coworkers who you think
will enjoy it.
B. Send it only to your
brother-in-law and
immediately delete it.
C. Send it to a select list of
your MMASC colleagues
who you think will enjoy it.
D. Delete it before anyone
else sees it.
*
$200
One of your friends sends you an email at work
containing one of the funniest jokes you have ever
seen. It is off-color both in language and visuals.
What should you do with the email?
D. Delete it before anyone
else sees it.
$300
Which of the following can a Council person
pass on to a City employee?
A. Discount coupons to an
amusement park
B. An insider stock tip on
the Council person’s
company
C. Rolex Wristwatch
D. None of the above
*
$300
Which of the following can a Council person
pass on to a City employee?
D. None of the above
$500
During a heated discussion with several council
members, your Assistant Manager is blamed for a
costly mistake that you actually made. You're quite
certain the false accusation won't harm her career;
however the truth could hurt you.
What do you do?
A. Recommend that the
assistant be fired.
B. Remain silent,
admission could cost
you your job.
C. Tell the council that the
mistake was yours.
D. Buy your assistant a beer
-- sympathize with her
unfair treatment.
*
$500
During a heated discussion with several council
members, your Assistant Manager is blamed for a
costly mistake that you actually made. You're quite
certain the false accusation won't harm her career;
however the truth could hurt you.
What do you do?
C. Tell the council that the
mistake was yours.
$1,000
You accidentally discover that your colleague Linda lied
on her County employment application and the
qualifications she lied about were instrumental in her
being hired by the County. But Linda has consistently
demonstrated her ability to handle her job.
What should you do?
A. Say nothing, what's
important is her
ability to do her job.
C. Discuss it with your
supervisor and
Human Resources
Director.
B. Ask for her help in
enhancing your
resume
D. Send anonymous
letter to the County
Manager and the
local newspaper.
*
$1,000
You accidentally discover that your colleague Linda lied
on her County employment application and the
qualifications she lied about were instrumental in her
being hired by the County. But Linda has consistently
demonstrated her ability to handle her job.
What should you do?
C. Discuss it with your
supervisor and
Human Resources
Director.
$2,000
As the HR Director you are responsible for hiring a Finance
Director for the City. Sandy, a long time friend of yours has
applied. You think Sandy could do the job, but other
applicants are somewhat more qualified. As a single Mom
though, Sandy really needs the job.
Do you hire Sandy?
A. Yes, loyalty is very
important, she meets
minimum qualifications.
B. Yes, golden rule: if
reversed, would want to
be hired.
C. No, my duty to my
employer is to hire the
most qualified person.
D. No, not fair, merit is
important in government.
*
$2,000
As the HR Director you are responsible for hiring a Finance
Director for the City. Sandy, a long time friend of yours has
applied. You think Sandy could do the job, but other
applicants are somewhat more qualified. As a single Mom
though, Sandy really needs the job.
Do you hire Sandy?
C. No, my duty to my
employer is to hire the
most qualified person.
$4,000
You speak on Sunday to an adult forum of a local church on
City downtown revitalization. The church is located in the
downtown and is interested in how the proposed projects
may affect them. At the end of your presentation the
congregation President hands you an envelope containing an
honorarium check for $50 and explains that "this is in
appreciation of you giving up your Sunday morning."
Do you accept the honorarium?
A. Yes, it conflicts with your
golf game or the NFL
game of the week.
B. No, it’s part of the job, no
extra compensation.
C. Yes, beyond normal
duty -- you missed time
with your family.
D. Yes, but you promise to
donate it to your favorite
charity.
*
$4,000
You speak on Sunday to an adult forum of a local church on
City downtown revitalization. The church is located in the
downtown and is interested in how the proposed projects
may affect them. At the end of your presentation the
congregation President hands you an envelope containing an
honorarium check for $50 and explains that "this is in
appreciation of you giving up your Sunday morning."
Do you accept the honorarium?
B. No, it’s part of the job, no
extra compensation.
$8,000
City police officers meet each day for lunch at a nearby
restaurant. You are a recent Police Academy graduate and
newly hired. You join the other officers for lunch. As you go
to pay the check, you notice that the amount has been
reduced by 50%. When you question the cashier she says,
“the owner is glad to have you officers around.” The other
officers pay their reduced checks and leave.
What do you do?
A. Thank the owner for the
discount and ask if it
covers breakfast and
dinner also.
B. Pay the full bill -- no
gratuities to public
employees
C. Accuse the owner of
trying to bribe you and
arrest him.
D. Pay the discounted bill
but leave an equal
amount as a tip.
*
$8,000
City police officers meet each day for lunch at a nearby
restaurant. You are a recent Police Academy graduate and
newly hired. You join the other officers for lunch. As you go
to pay the check, you notice that the amount has been
reduced by 50%. When you question the cashier she says,
“the owner is glad to have you officers around.” The other
officers pay their reduced checks and leave.
What do you do?
B. Pay the full bill -- no
gratuities to public
employees
$16,000
As a City/County Manager you are asked to endorse various
products and services.
Which of the following endorsements can you ethically do?
A. A T.V. promotion
endorsing the USC-MPA
program for a fee.
C. Provide favorable
comments on the work
an engineering firm did
on a drainage project for
an article that they are
doing in a public works
magazine.
B. Provide a favorable
comment on the good
work the contractor did
on the building project
for use in a promotional
brochure
D. Review and comment on
a GIS book that a friend is
writing for use by local
government professionals.
The comments will help
market the book.
*
$16,000
As a City/County Manager you are asked to endorse various
products and services.
Which of the following endorsements can you ethically do?
C. Provide favorable
comments on the work
an engineering firm did
on a drainage project for
an article that they are
doing in a public works
magazine.
$32,000
As the new Assistant City Manager, it is your job to get control over the
City Utility Department. You find serious mismanagement and are
surprised that the City Manager didn’t get this situation under control
sooner. The biggest error that you find is that the city over billed
customers outside the city limits. The errors no longer occur because a
new software update has eliminated them. You can’t tell from reviewing
the records whether anyone reported this to the City Manager. The system
is in debt, rates were raised substantially last year and the higher rates
are a hot issue in the current Council election campaign. Repaying the
overcharges would have a serious financial impact on city. Disclosure
would also damage bond ratings and public confidence. Since the
auditors have not found this mistake, it probably will not be discovered
unless the City makes it known. What do you do?
A. You do nothing because the
over billed customers don't live
in your City.
C. You take the issue to the City
Manager and recommend
restitution to the customers.
B. You send records to the Mayor
in other city.
D. You declare whistle blowers
status and call a press
conference to announce the
*
error.
$32,000
As the new Assistant City Manager, it is your job to get control over the
City Utility Department. You find serious mismanagement and are
surprised that the City Manager didn’t get this situation under control
sooner. The biggest error that you find is that the city over billed
customers outside the city limits. The errors no longer occur because a
new software update has eliminated them. You can’t tell from reviewing
the records whether anyone reported this to the City Manager. The system
is in debt, rates were raised substantially last year and the higher rates
are a hot issue in the current Council election campaign. Repaying the
overcharges would have a serious financial impact on city. Disclosure
would also damage bond ratings and public confidence. Since the
auditors have not found this mistake, it probably will not be discovered
unless the City makes it known. What do you do?
C. You take the issue to the City
Manager and recommend
restitution to the customers.
$64,000
As Parks and Recreation Director you are pleased that the
City Manager and Council have approved your
recommendation to upgrade five playgrounds. It is your
responsibility to obtain bids, identify the lowest bidder and
then make a recommendation to the City Manager and
Council. One manufacturer is so confident of his product line
that he offers to pay for you and your spouse to spend the
weekend visiting another City which purchased the
equipment.
What should you do?
A. You accept the vendor's offer
and list the trip on your
financial disclosure form.
C. You believe it is in the City's
interest to pay for your visit to
other communities to compare
the most competitive bids.
B. You turn down the offer, might
compromise your objectivity.
D. You contact the other bidders
to arrange similar free trips to
ensure there is no favoritism to
one vendor.
*
$64,000
As Parks and Recreation Director you are pleased that the
City Manager and Council have approved your
recommendation to upgrade five playgrounds. It is your
responsibility to obtain bids, identify the lowest bidder and
then make a recommendation to the City Manager and
Council. One manufacturer is so confident of his product line
that he offers to pay for you and your spouse to spend the
weekend visiting another City which purchased the
equipment.
What should you do?
B. You turn down the offer, might
compromise your objectivity.
$125,000
As ACM you have watched Dan, the City Manager who
promoted you, drink to excess at private parties and on
public occasions. You know Dan has driven while drunk
because you were in the car. You know Dan's judgment has
been impaired by alcohol at city Council meetings because
you have been asked to cover for him.
What do you do?
A. You do nothing so as to not
risk your relationship with
Dan.
C. You intentionally become
drunk and make a fool of
yourself at a public event to
show Dan the impact of his
problem.
B. You meet with Dan to request
he get treatment.
D. You borrow the Police
Department's Breathalyzer to
test Dan.
*
$125,000
As ACM you have watched Dan, the City Manager who
promoted you, drink to excess at private parties and on
public occasions. You know Dan has driven while drunk
because you were in the car. You know Dan's judgment has
been impaired by alcohol at city Council meetings because
you have been asked to cover for him.
What do you do?
B. You meet with Dan to request
he get treatment.
250,000
Ann is a new personnel clerk in the Human Resources Department. Her six
months probation ends soon and she is looking forward to her evaluation with her
supervisor, Steve, the Personnel Manager. She will learn then whether she
becomes a regular employee. The City has an RFP out to hire a consultant to do
training for the city. Ann comes to work early one day to see Steve hand Sam, the
owner of a training firm, a package of information that looks like the cost proposal
requirements which is confidential because cost is a factor in the RFP selection
process. Steve and Sam used to work together for the same consulting firm. Sam
is saying, "Thanks Buddy, I won't forget this. See you soon." He winks as he
leaves. Steve smiles, says good morning to Ann and goes into his office. Ann,
during her short tenure, has not previously observed any questionable actions by
Steve. What should Ann do?
A. Completely ignore what
she has seen.
C. Ask Steve to contact Sam
for her to work part-time at
his company.
B.
Go to Steve and inquire, if
not satisfied share concern
with Human Resources
Director.
D. Share her concerns with
the Human Resources
Director.
*
250,000
Ann is a new personnel clerk in the Human Resources Department. Her six
months probation ends soon and she is looking forward to her evaluation with her
supervisor, Steve, the Personnel Manager. She will learn then whether she
becomes a regular employee. The City has an RFP out to hire a consultant to do
training for the city. Ann comes to work early one day to see Steve hand Sam, the
owner of a training firm, a package of information that looks like the cost proposal
requirements which is confidential because cost is a factor in the RFP selection
process. Steve and Sam used to work together for the same consulting firm. Sam
is saying, "Thanks Buddy, I won't forget this. See you soon." He winks as he
leaves. Steve smiles, says good morning to Ann and goes into his office. Ann,
during her short tenure, has not previously observed any questionable actions by
Steve. What should Ann do?
B.
Go to Steve and inquire, if
not satisfied share concern
with Human Resources
Director.
$500,000
Louise is a valued, long time employee of the County, worked for you for over 10
years and is the kind of employee you can depend on to put in extra time and
effort. In times of crisis, she always rises to the challenge. You really owe her a
lot. Louise comes to you one day to admit that for some time she has been
"borrowing" money from the petty cash fund and writing false receipts to cover it.
It was never much, usually $25 or $30 and she always repaid it. Her conscience
bothers her so much now that she had to confess. You are surprised at her
actions as her previous conduct has been exemplary. Under personnel policy, her
action could result in dismissal.
Do you fire her?
A. Yes, she committed
misdemeanor criminal
offenses and warrants
dismissal.
C. No, because you probably
would not have found out if
Louise didn't confess and you
want to encourage employees
to admit mistakes.
B. Yes, she may do it again and
it sends the wrong message to
employees.
D. No, but you reprimand and
suspend her while removing
any responsibility for County
funds from her.
*
$500,000
Louise is a valued, long time employee of the County, worked for you for over 10
years and is the kind of employee you can depend on to put in extra time and
effort. In times of crisis, she always rises to the challenge. You really owe her a
lot. Louise comes to you one day to admit that for some time she has been
"borrowing" money from the petty cash fund and writing false receipts to cover it.
It was never much, usually $25 or $30 and she always repaid it. Her conscience
bothers her so much now that she had to confess. You are surprised at her
actions as her previous conduct has been exemplary. Under personnel policy, her
action could result in dismissal.
Do you fire her?
D. No, but you reprimand and
suspend her while removing
any responsibility for
County funds from her.
$1,000,000
As Personnel Director you learn at an Executive Management meeting
that the City Manager's proposed budget contains major reorganizations
and reductions in managerial staff due to City financial constraints. One
proposal will result in the termination of David a close friend of the family.
The City Manager, whose judgment you respect, mentions Dave’s poor
performance and as the meeting ends reminds everyone that the
discussion is confidential as usual. As you leave, you remember that
David is about to make a substantial down payment on a new home.
What do you do?
A. You do and say nothing as
directed by the City Manager.
C. Say nothing and help David
get another job when the time
comes.
B. Tell David immediately and
directly as that is what friends
are for.
D. Tell David and other City
employees that budget cuts
mean that a shake-up is
imminent -- avoid new
commitments at this time.
*
$1,000,000
As Personnel Director you learn at an Executive Management meeting
that the City Manager's proposed budget contains major reorganizations
and reductions in managerial staff due to City financial constraints. One
proposal will result in the termination of David a close friend of the family.
The City Manager, whose judgment you respect, mentions Dave’s poor
performance and as the meeting ends reminds everyone that the
discussion is confidential as usual. As you leave, you remember that
David is about to make a substantial down payment on a new home.
What do you do?
A. You do and say nothing as
directed by the City
Manager.
YOU ARE AN
ETHICAL PUBLIC
OFFICIAL AND A
MILLIONAIRE!
$1,000,000