The Georgia Municipal Association recently added Lawrenceville along with two other cities to those designated as a ‘City of Ethics.” This is the first time Lawrenceville, Hiawassee and Turin received the designation. The GMA also recertified Braselton and Peachtree Corners as Cities of Ethics.
To earn the designation, a city must take two actions: adopt a resolution establishing the five ethics principles for the conduct of city’s officials, and adopt an ethics ordinance that meets minimum standards approved by the GMA Board.
The five ethics principles guide elected officials to serve others, not themselves, use resources with efficiency and economy, treat all people fairly, use the power of their position for the well-being of constituents, and create an environment of honesty, openness and integrity.
Certification must be renewed every four years, to ensure cities maintain the standards of the program and city officials are regularly trained as individuals and as a governing body.
Lawrenceville officials amended their ethics ordinance earlier this year as they worked on their application for “City of Ethics” status. Information: www.gmanet.com/Cities-of-Ethics.aspx.
