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.

For a full reading of the opinion, click on the case number.

Questions and Answers

Misuse of Position - April 20, 2021
Q: Does a member of the Tallahassee City Commission misuse his or her official position by identifying himself or herself as a public official when submitting a character reference on behalf of a state elected official facing disciplinary action?

A: No (See Opinion AO 2021-01)

Gifts - May 18, 2021
Q: Does a city employee engaged in procurement for the city violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance if he or she attends social functions with city vendors but pays for his or her own expenses?

A: No (See Opinion AO 2021-02)

Gifts - May 18, 2021
Q: Does a city employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance if he or she accepts gifts provided at a booth maintained by a city vendor at a conference?

A: If the city employee is a covered individual, yes; however, for city employees who are not covered individuals, the answer is no (See Opinion AO 2021-03)

Ethics Training - June 15, 2021
Q: Does the Tallahassee Charter mandate that ethics training be provided to independent contractors employed with the City of Tallahassee?

A: Under the circumstances presented, the question is answered in the negative (See Opinion AO 2021-04)

Gifts - September 21, 2021
Q: Does a procurement employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift if he or she receives a discount on personal cellular phone services when the discount is provided by Verizon Wireless, who is a city vendor?

A: Under the circumstances presented, the question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2021-05)

Gifts - September 21, 2021
Q: Does a procurement employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift if he or she receives a discount on items purchased for personal use from The Shoe Box of Tallahassee, who is a city vendor?

A: Under the circumstances presented, the question depends on whether the discount is available to all similarly situated city employees. (See Opinion AO 2021-05)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - January 18, 2022
Q: Does a city employee who sat on a procurement scoring committee for the city violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift by accepting a free conference pass for her/himself and up to three (3) more users from a private company, Anaplan, that provides software used to prepare the City’s budget?

A: Yes (See Opinion AO 2022-01). In addition, see the footnote in Opinion AO 2022-01 concerning allowable instances.

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - March 15, 2022
Q: Must the City of Tallahassee require city vendors to disclose campaign contributions to Tallahassee City Commissions on the City conflict of interest forms associated with bids?

A: No (See Opinion AO 2022-02)

Gifts - June 21, 2022
Q: Does the Special Projects Coordinator with the City of Tallahassee Electric & Gas Utility violate the municipal ethics code’s ban on the solicitation and acceptance of gifts by seeking and receiving goods and services on behalf of the City for the purpose of using said goods and services towards the City’s involvement with a local charity?

A: No (See Opinion AO 2022-03)

Misuse of Position - June 21, 2022
Q: Does the Special Projects Coordinator with the City of Tallahassee Electric & Gas Utility violate the municipal ethics code’s misuse of public position provision by soliciting and accepting goods and services on behalf of the City for the purpose of using said goods and services towards the City’s involvement with a local charity?

A: No (See Opinion AO 2022-03)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - August 16, 2022
Q: Does a city employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift if he or she receives a discount on rent at an apartment complex when the discount is provided to all city employees?

A: Under the circumstances presented, the question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2022-04)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - October 18, 2022
Q: Does a public official violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift by accepting a free meal paid for by a city vendor during personal time while attending a conference sponsored by a city vendor when the meal in question is not included in the cost of the conference registration?

A: Under the circumstances presented, this question is answered in the affirmative as it applies to the inquirer. (See Opinion AO 2022-05)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - November 15, 2022
Q: Does a City of Tallahassee employee serving in her or his capacity as a member of a city committee violate the municipal ethics code’s ban on the solicitation or acceptance of gifts by seeking and receiving goods on behalf of a local charity?

A: Under the circumstances presented, this question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2022-06)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - March 21, 2023
Q: Does a city employee who has been invited to be a presenter at a conference held by a city vendor violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift by accepting free admission to the conference as well as airfare and lodging to attend the conference?

A: Under the circumstances presented, this question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2023-01)

Misuse of Public Position - March 21, 2023
Q: Does a city employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code if he or she participates in a promotional video prepared by and for the benefit of a private company that does business with the City of Tallahassee?

A: Under the circumstances presented, this question is answered in the affirmative. (See Opinion AO 2023-01)