SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A Special City of South Lake Tahoe Council meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, has been postponed. A new date has not been rescheduled at this time.
The focus of the special meeting was an update to the “Local Ethics Policy” and an update to “City Council Protocols.”
Under the California Political Reform Act, public officials are required to comply with state-mandated disclosure and conflict-of-interest provisions, and cities and counties may have more stringent policies than state law. The City has had a code of ethics since 1992, with a couple of updates.
The agenda stated, “Ideally, a local ethics code reflects the agency’s shared values in
public service, leadership, and decision-making, and gives the public confidence about the agency’s values and priorities.” An agency usually has three goals for adopting an ethics code: (1) Encouraging high standards of behavior by public officials; (2) Increasing public confidence in the institutions that serve the public; and (3) Assisting public officials with decision-making.
The City of Carlsbad adopted a code of ethics in 2022 that applies to city councilmembers. It requires that councilmembers model civility, invite and respect public input, recognize that elected officials and city staff are on the same team in service to the community, promote clear communication, work collaboratively, consider the larger picture in decision-making and actions, be accountable for actions and words, don’t misuse city-issued letterhead, display empathy for colleagues, staff, and the public, embrace diversity, promote fair and consistent processes, are truthful with their colleagues and the public, act consistently with
words, and comply with the letter and spirit of laws.
Protocols are updated annually, and while no changes have been recommended, the City is bringing them back for discussion and possible updates.
The 15-page City Council Protocols can be found at https://www.cityofslt.gov/596/City-Council-Protocols-Compensation.