A commitment at the heart of ethical local government leadership.

Why professional managers must respect elected officials’ authority— even when they disagree with a decision.

Adoption occurred during the May 1 board meeting.

Serving the needs of the entire community demands this from local government professionals.

250 years later, the work of self-governance continues.

Trust is the foundation of effective local government leadership. And it begins with ethics.

How public agency leaders can shape behavior, earn trust, and promote ethical decision-making

How does your local government organization promote this value for the community, elected officials, and employees?

Examining historic democratic principles and what this means for us in 2026