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

March 23, 2026: County of Olmsted, MN Resident Surveys 2025: Park and Rec Survey Results 2022: High-level results from the Olmsted County 2022 Resident Survey were shared at the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Read more ... March 20, 2026: ADA Public Input Olmsted County is inviting community members to review and provide feedback on a draft update to its Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act Transition Plan for public right-of-way. Read more ... March 17, 2026: RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Reviews Mar 17, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Middle School Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Elementary School & Early Childhood  Read more ... March 10, 2026: City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD. Forward. Unbound. City Council Study Session: Mar 2026 Video Recording, Presentation Feb 2025 Video Recording Link, Presentation, Collaboration Commitment Read more ... March 06, 2026: Braver Angels News Listen to (and learn from) the other side 2026 - Mar 6 Volunteer Opportunities, Feb Citizens Commission on Immigration Outreach 2025, 24 - Mar 2025 Newsletters: End birthright citizenship? Apr 2024 Braver Angels Newsletter: 2024 National Convention; National Debate: Should we be colorblind?   Read more ... March 04, 2026: 2025-26 RPS Superintendent Goals Check Feb 3 2026 Superintendent Goals - Midyear Review:  Video Clip Talking Points  Read more ... March 03, 2026: Development Assistance Agreement Relating to the Citywalk Apartments for Tax Increment Financing Mar 2, 2026: Rochester Economic Development Authority  Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Development Assistance Agreement (Citywalk Project) Read more ... February 18, 2026: Rochester Area Volunteer Administration 2026: April 15 Volunteer Fair 2023: RAVA October 19 2023 Meeting Notes; RAVA Meeting Notes: 6/15/2023 featuring inclusive language and use of pronouns; 2. 2021 survey announcement  2021: Survey Read more ... February 03, 2026: Rochester as a Compassionate City Feb 2, 2026 City Council Meeting Council Initiated Action - Reaffirming Rochester as a Compassionate City Read more ... January 29, 2026: Community Health Improvement Plan Update 2026 CHNA Info: Jan 2026 Newsletter 2025 Community Health Needs Info: Admin Message, Oct 2025 Newsletter  Ref: PB Report Read more ... January 28, 2026: Black History Month Series of Events Black History Month Press Releases:  2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021  Read more ... January 23, 2026: RPS Strategic Plan and Goals Review Strategic Plan Goals Review   Background Presentation Slides Part 1 Goals and Part 2 Goals Read more ... January 13, 2026: Chateau Theatre Upkeep Jan 2026 City Council Study Session Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Feb 2025 DMCC Board and  City Council Proceedings References: AI summary of PB Reporting   Read more ... January 10, 2026: Rochester Cultural Center Grand Opening Announcement Grand Opening Flyer Photos   Read more ... December 17, 2025: 2026 County Property Tax Press Release: Olmsted County’s 2026 budget was approved by the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on December 16, 2025. Olmsted County Truth in Taxation Info Read more ...

Community Anchor Participation:

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

Steady