What is the role of a local government’s ethics ordinance regarding conflicts of interest?

• A. It prohibits officials from participating in decisions where they have a financial interest or a close relationship that could impair impartiality.
• B. It sets salaries for officials.
• C. It spells out procurement rules.
• D. It requires annual ethics training but not conflicts.

Answer: (A)

The role of an ethics ordinance in relation to conflicts of interest is to prevent self-dealing by prohibiting officials from participating in decisions where they have a financial stake or a close relationship that could impair impartiality. This keeps decisions focused on the public interest and helps maintain public trust. Often the ordinance also requires disclosure and recusal when a conflict exists, addressing both actual and apparent conflicts. Other provisions you might see—like setting salaries, outlining procurement rules, or mandating training—serve different functions; the core aim here is to regulate participation to avoid conflicts, not to set pay or write procurement policies.