Princeton may soon become a certified City of Ethics following a suggestion made at a recent meeting.
Mayor Kota Young says that becoming a certified City of Ethics is a way to recognize cities and city officials that have adopted principles and procedures that offer guidance on ethical issues and a mechanism to resolve complaints at the local level. The certification is made possible under a program offered by the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC).
According to the KLC the program also increases public trust and confidence in city governments and their services through the training and recognition that the program promotes.
In order to be certified the City Officials and City of Princeton, as a group and individually, must agree to subscribe to six specific ethics principles and pledges set forth by the KLC. Those principles include serving the public interest and not the individual or group’s own, being ethical and professional, communicating effectively and respectfully, fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of all public offices, being fiscal responsible with city resources, and creating an environment of honesty, openness, and integrity.
Mayor Young adds that the city will have to update the city’s current Ethics Code in the Code of Ordinances and send it to the state for approval. After approval the city will also have to pass a resolution stating they will adhere to the six principles and pledges.
At a meeting Monday night all on the Council were in agreement that the city should move forward with the process to be certified a City of Ethics. No official action was taken concerning the certification. A resolution will be proposed to the Council at a later date.
