§ 2-104. Political activities.

(a)

City officers and employees may participate in political activities, including belonging to a political party and supporting a candidate for elected office, except as provided in this section. City officers and employees must not engage in political activities during working hours or use city facilities, equipment or resources in support of political activities. Employees' political activities must be clearly separated from activities related to their employment. If engaging in political activities separate from their employment, city officers and employees must retain impartiality in relation to their duties and responsibilities as city officers and employees. The overriding principle is that employees cannot use their employment or position with the city to support or oppose measures, candidates or petitions. Partisan politics at the local, state or national levels are not to be introduced into the workplace, except in casual, private conversations which do not otherwise violate this section. In addition to any restrictions on political activities that may apply to city employees under state or federal statutes in connection with any program financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants or otherwise, city officials and employees, including those employed by all city departments, shall be specifically limited in their political activities as follows:

(1)

City employees shall not be appointed, retained or dismissed on the basis of their political affiliations or activities which do not violate this section.

(2)

City employees shall not be coerced, directly or indirectly, to take part in political campaigns, to support a political party, to solicit votes, to levy, contribute or solicit funds or support, for the purpose of supporting or opposing the appointment or election of candidates for municipal or other public office.

(3)

City employees shall not be candidates in any municipal election.

(4)

No city employee shall actively advocate or oppose the candidacy of any individual for nomination or election to any municipal office while on the job during working hours.

(b)

Failure to comply with subsection (a) of this section is grounds for appropriate disciplinary action, including dismissal.

(Code 1978, § 123.130; Ord. No. 03-01, § I, 1-28-2003)