§ 2-6-94. Limitations on partisan political activity by board members.*

While a member of the board of ethics, a board member shall not:

(1)

Be a candidate for the office of mayor, city council, the city clerk, or board of police commissioners;

(2)

Be a campaign treasurer, campaign manager or officer, or participate in a committee for the campaign of a candidate for the office of mayor, city council, or the city clerk, or board of police commissioners;

(3)

Make a monetary or an in-kind contribution to, or expenditure for, a political campaign that is in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a candidate for the office of mayor, city council, the city clerk, or board of police commissioners; or

(4)

Solicit votes, or raise monetary or in-kind contributions, for a candidate for the office of mayor, city council, the city clerk, or board of police commissioners.

(Ord. No. 43-06, § 1, 11-17-06; Ord. No. 18-12, § 1, 7-31-12)

*Commentary— Members of the board of ethics are appointed by the mayor, the city council, or the mayor and the city council jointly and they may only be removed for cause by their respective appointing authority under section 2-106.8 of the 2012 Detroit City Charter. However, they should not be placed in a position where they appear to be beholden to the authority who appointed them. Therefore, this section ensures that members of the board of ethics are able to operate without any suggestion of obligation or pressure to take sides during election cycles for the offices of mayor, city council, the city clerk, or board of police commissioners.

The members of the board of ethics hold unique positions in city government as they are the only positions in city government that have jurisdiction over all public servants in both the executive and legislative branches, including the mayor, city council members, the city clerk, or board of police commissioners. this section will help to ensure the independence of the board of ethics that is mandated in section 2-106.8 of the 2012 Detroit City Charter.