• Public officials are agents of the public and hold office for the benefit of the public.
• That all persons acting in public service maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct in their transaction of public business and that standards be clearly defined to the public.
• Public officials should be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people;
• Public office may not be used for personal gain;
• Code of Ethics is for elected or appointed public officials, citizen volunteers, and candidates for public office.  
• Purpose of Code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for such person and requires disclosure of private or financial interest in matter involving the City. 

• The Ethical Practices Board meets as often as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. Dates of meetings will vary depending on members' schedules.
• Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held in conference room 104 of at City Hall (201 4 Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904).
• Meeting Agenda, minutes and video’s can be found on the Boards & Commissions webpage.

Ordinance Chapter 2-16 – Public Ethics

The Ethical Practices Board has 7 members who are residents of the City of Rochester.

Members serve three year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms. 

• Board shall have jurisdiction to review and make findings concerning any alleged violation of Rochester Code Chapter 2-16 by any public officials;
• To make notification, extend deadlines, conduct investigations, make Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order, review allegations and conduct hearings as needed to decide in there was a violation of RCO Chapter 2-16;
• To report its Findings regarding any complaint to the person’s Appointing Authority and to the City Administrator;
• To issue ethics opinions to public officials regarding the propriety of any matter within the Board’s jurisdiction;
• To conduct a preliminary investigation of a filed complaint,
• To promote City’s ethics programs
• To make recommendations for changes to the Code

Members to the Ethical Practices Board are appointed by the Appointing Committee, which is made up 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.    

Interested members may complete a digital application.

2009 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2009.

2010 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2010.

2011 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2011.

2012 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2012.

2013 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2013.

2014 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2014

2015 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2015

2016 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2016

2017 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2017

2018 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2018

2019 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2019

2020 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2020

2021 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2021

2022 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2022

2023 Report - Report for year ending December 31, 2023

• A Public Official must report any conduct by another Public Official that he or she believes violates the Code of Ethics.
• The improper conduct of a non-appointed Public Official must be reported to either the alleged violator's supervisor or department head.  Upon resolution the supervisor or department head must notify the Board of the report and resolution.
• The improper conduct of an appointed Public Official who is not a department head must be reported to the alleged violator's supervisor, department head or Appointing Authority.  Upon resolution the supervisor or department head must notify the Board of the report and resolution.
• The improper conduct of a department head or an elected official must be reported to the Board.

Ethical Complaint/Inquiry Submission Form
City Code

U.S. Office of Government Ethics

EPB Brochure

Michael Spindler-Krage, City Attorney

Jody Houghton, Executive Assistant