Ethical values are widely considered the cornerstone of a civilized democratic society, guiding the conduct of government officials in a manner that facilitates public confidence. While this applies to all governments, the proximity of local governments to the people they serve magnifies the effect of this conduct on public’s perception and trust of government.

In order to maintain the public trust, members of the electorate must believe that the actions of governments and government officials are taken in the best interests of the public. Without public trust, governments that derive their power from the consent of the governed will cease to function efficiently and the essential mechanisms of a free society, including fair elections, will begin to break down.

The Ethical GPS is a resource that public officials -- including elected officers and local government staff -- can use to better approach and resolve their own ethical dilemmas. We seek first to describe an ethical culture, and then to provide a “Toolbox” meant to spark continued ethical inquiry.

While it is never practical to completely remove personal values from discussions of ethical behaviors, we are neither assuming the role of moralists, distinguishing “right from wrong,” nor relating a religious philosophy, which dictates to people how to act. We also do not presume to teach ethics with this publication or to guide people’s specific ethical choices. Instead, we believe that ethics is as much about the journey, or the decision process, as it is about the destination or the eventual choice.