Rochester Ethical Practices Board

Organization Information

Organization: Rochester Ethical Practices Board

Organization Mission: To further the goals of the established Code of Ethics, the City of Rochester Ethical Practices Board (Board) was formed via city ordinance in December 2008. The Board is comprised of five citizen members who are appointed by a committee consisting of the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s Office. Members serve a three year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

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Enabling Legislation

Section 13.10, subd. 5(A) states that the Ethical Practices Board has the power to “establish, amend and repeal rules and procedures governing its own internal organization and operations in a manner and form consistent with this chapter.”  The Ethical Practices Board adopts these rules of procedure and operation pursuant to that legislative authority.

Policy and Purpose

It is imperative that all persons acting in the public service not only maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct in their transaction of public business but that such standards be clearly defined and known to the public as well as to the persons acting in public service.

 The proper operation of a democratic government requires that public officials be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people. Governmental decisions and policies must be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure. Public office may not be used for personal gain. Citizens must have confidence in the integrity of their government officials.

 Public officials are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state and municipality so as to foster respect for all government. They are bound to observe in their official acts the highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the public interest must be their primary concern.

In recognition of these goals, there is an established Code of Ethics for elected or appointed public officials, citizen volunteers, and candidates for public office. The purpose of the Code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for such persons by establishing acts which are incompatible with the City's best interests and requiring disclosure of private or financial interests in matters involving the City. The provisions and purposes of this Code of Ethics are declared to be in the best interests of the City of Rochester.

Ethical Practices Board

To further the goals of the established Code of Ethics, the City of Rochester Ethical Practices Board (Board) was formed via city ordinance in December 2008.  The Board is comprised of five citizen members who are appointed by a committee consisting of the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s Office.  Members serve a three year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

Scope of Responsibility

The Code of Ethics pertains to and is applicable to public officials including elected officials and city employees (including department heads and supervisors) who have the authority to approve the expenditure of funds.  Also included, but not limited to, are members of the following boards and commissions:

• Airport Commission
• Building Code Board of Appeals
• Committee on Urban Design and Environment
• Downtown Development District Advisory Board
• Energy Commission
• Ethical Practices Board
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Board of Review
• Heritage Preservation Commission
• Housing Board of Appeals
• Library Board
• Mayo Civic Center Commission
• Music Board
• Park Board
• Planning and Zoning Commission
• Police Policy Oversight Commission
• Public Utility Board
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Related News and Status

Status Reports / News

Related PlanScape Status on: Best Practice, Diversity and Inclusion, Governance/Public Policy

Key reports on: Rochester Ethical Practices Board

December 06, 2025: Looking Back Equity Alliance Series Topics Collection of Topics from alliance start to Dec 2025 to offer "a grounded reflection on our collective progress and the work still ahead to strengthen equity across our community." Read more ... December 04, 2025: RPS Balanced Budget Model 2026 Review and 2027 Enhancements:   Phase I of the Balanced Budget Model (BBM), launched across all learning sites and select special education programs, served as both a starting point and a critical learning stage. AI Summary of PB ePaper Article Read more ... December 03, 2025: Rochester International Relations Committee 2026 Sister City Visits Germany Visit 2025 Sister City Trips: Japan  Rochester Sister City Application (Roles and Responsibilities) Sister Cities Relationship Logs IRC Meeting Logs Read more ... December 01, 2025: RPS Strategic Plan Review Dec 2 2025: Strategic Plan Review Part 1 Background Presentation Slides Part 1 Goals Read more ... November 21, 2025: RPS 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy 2025-11-21 RPS Reducing 2026 budget cut RPS Board Presentation July 15, 2025  AI generated summary of budget reduction strategy  Read more ... November 20, 2025: Cradle to Career 4Q/3Q 2025 News 2025-11-20 C2C Connection StriveTogether  2025-10-29  C2C 2025 Summit  2025-6-2014 2025 Summer Financial Aid Sessions: Locations: RCTC, Rochester Public Library; Information for CBO hosting Financial Aid Sessions Read more ... November 18, 2025: Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Fall (November) 2025: Background Information Video Recording Presentation Slides Read more ... November 11, 2025: About Rochester Community Initiative (RCI) Oct 2025 C2C Summit: Cross-Sector Collaboration: Civic Engagement Oct 2024 C2C Summit: Students Decoded: The Mental Health Database Aug 2025 Equity Alliance Series RCI Introduction   Read more ... November 07, 2025: National Small Business Initiative & National 311 Day November 6, 2025 - Rochester Selected as One of Six Cities for National Small Business Initiative March 11, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is excited to celebrate National 311 Day.  Read more ... October 26, 2025: DMC 2026 Budget and Workplan 2026 Budget and Workplan September DMCC Board Meeting Reference(s): Concurring City Council Oct 6 2025 Approval Request    Read more ... October 21, 2025: HOME OWNERSHIP CREATION PROGRAM – LONDON BROOK PONDS City Council Meeting Approval of Housing Support: Housing Funding Allocations; TIF approval PB reporting Read more ... October 15, 2025: Mayor and City Council Launch ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’ Press Release and focuses: Civic Engagement Scorecard, Civic Infrastructure Scan References: AI summary of project, Community Forum Read more ... October 15, 2025: DAP Funding Justification Oct 15, 2025 D.A.P. Meeting Info Sharing - Building a community-owned data repository     Read more ... October 06, 2025: 2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations 2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations Video Recording, Presentation  Read more ... October 02, 2025: Local Sales Tax Update City Council Study Session: Sales Tax Renewal Projects - Utilization of Sales Tax: Street Reconstruction. Flood Control and Water Quality, Economic Vitality, Home Ownership AI summary of PB Reporting   Read more ...

Community Anchor Participation:

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Organization Life Cycle Assessment (Pause, Startup, Steady, Isolated Impact, Collective Impact  Unknown)

Steady