The Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board may issue advisory opinions related to ethics, conflicts of interest, and any other topic over which it has jurisdiction. An advisory opinion is an interpretation of the City Charter as it applies to a set of facts provided in writing by the individual requesting the opinion. The purpose of an advisory opinion is to provide guidance to a public official or city employee before the official or employee engages in an action that may be prohibited.
The Ethics Officer may provide an informal opinion in wait of a formal opinion. An informal opinion is an interpretation of the Ethics Code, which is not binding. A formal opinion is approved by the Ethics Board and represents their interpretation of the City Charter at the time of the request.
The opinions in this database contain the advice of the Ethics Board based on the City Charter at the time of each opinion. Opinions are not updated to reflect changes in the City Charter, more recent opinions, or other laws. Feel free to contact the Ethics Office for more information.
Recent Questions and Answers
Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - October 15, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by accepting free food and beverages from non-profit and for-profit organizations that have no relationship with the City of Tallahassee and offer these meals to all similarly situated employees?
A: The question, as it applies to the specific facts set forth, is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-07)
Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - April 16, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by attending an event, which is funded in part by donations from city vendors, when the event is open and free to similarly situated individuals?
A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-04)
Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - April 16, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by accepting free admission to an event sponsored by a city vendor when free admission is made available by that city vendor to similarly situated individuals?
A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-06)
Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - April 16, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by accepting free lodging paid for by the city vendor to attend an event?
A: This question is answered in the affirmative. (See Opinion AO 2024-06)
Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift by accepting payment from a company which is not a city vendor, in exchange for participating in a consumer satisfaction interview provided by that company when a city vendor may use the findings?
A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-01)
Misuse of Public Position - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a city employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on the misuse of public position by accepting payment from a company, which is not a city vendor, in exchange for participating in a consumer satisfaction interview provided by that company when a city vendor may use the findings?
A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-01)
Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift by attending at no cost an event held by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and helping to raise money toward that 50l(c)(3) nonprofit at the event when the event has been financed by soliciting donations from lobbyists that appear before the City?
A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-02)
Misuse of Public Position - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on misuse of public position by participating in a community activity sponsored by a local business where he donates a personal item to be included in a scavenger hunt?
A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-03)
Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by participating in a community activity sponsored by a city vendor where the covered individual will receive publicity?
A: This question is answered in the affirmative. (See Opinion AO 2024-03)