Ethics Commission

The Code of Ethics

City employees, officers, appointed and elected officials can influence the public's confidence and trust in City government. With this in mind, the City has adopted this Code of Ethics to foster confidence in City government.

A code of ethics describes the general value system, ethical principles, and specific ethical rules chosen by an organization. The full ordinance for code of ethics: Chapter 2, Article IV.

The City also conducts training for our employees to increase awareness and understanding of the ethical conduct required by positions with the City.

The Ethics Commission

The City of Fayetteville has formed an Ethics Commission, a Council-appointed commission whose purpose is to investigate complaints, render advisory opinions, hear complaints, and publish findings and recommendations regarding alleged violations of the city's ethics policy by city employees, board and commission members, and elected officials.

The commission consists of five volunteer members: one member selected by the Cumberland County Bar Association, chosen from the attorney members of the association; one member selected by the Sandhill Chapter of Certified Public Accountants, chosen from the members of the organization; one member selected from among the universities/colleges of Fayetteville State University, Methodist University, and Fayetteville Technical Community College; and two members selected by the city council from the general citizenry. The commission has an attorney who advises them on ethical matters and procedural issues, and meets as necessary when a complaint is made or an advisory opinion is requested.

The commission meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30pm in the Lafayette Room on the first floor of City Hall. View the Events page for more information.

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Forms for the intake and screening of inquiries and complaints for the Ethics Commission:

• Advisory Opinion - Any person, elected or appointed official, or employee may file an inquiry to obtain an advisory opinion.
• Complaint - Any person, elected or appointed official, or employee may file a complaint with the city clerk or the human resources development department.

Inquiries and complains will be deemed "filed" when they are received by the city clerk in writing or when received by the city's human resources development department. Complaints will be deemed "received" by the ethics commission when they are first reviewed by the ethics commission.

Advisory Opinions Rendered

• Opinion 2011-01
• Opinion 2010-01