Ethics Board

Completed Statements of Economic Interest are due by February 28, 2025.

On behalf of the City of Milwaukee Ethics Board, we would like to thank all city employees and board/commission members for their willingness to file their Statements of Economic Interest annually. Filing of these Statements allows the Board to meet its mandate to pursue ethical behavior in city government.

Click here to access the form. You may have to right-click the link and save the file to your computer before you can fill it out and submit it. The form may be emailed as an attachment to [email protected].

There is a 10-day grace period to file, but for any statements filed March 10, 2025 or after, there will be a late-filing fee (which begins at $25 and increases thereafter). Per the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, late statements will NOT be accepted without payment of the late-filing fee.
 

About the Ethics Board

In 1977 the City of Milwaukee adopted an ethics code for its elected officials, supervisory personnel, boards and commissions. The ethics code provides the best vehicle to assure the community that its officials recognize that the holding of public office is a public trust. Ethical conduct is truly a matter of performing one's duties and responsibilities in accordance with established rules and guidelines of good, sound judgment. Showing strict regard for ethical conduct is essential in order to maintain high public esteem. Our public officials are very concerned with this issue. The community, in turn, should be equally concerned with the rights and reputation of its dedicated public officials. Public cooperation is required to assist the Ethics Board in maintaining Milwaukee's reputation for high ethical standards and conduct.

Role of the Ethics Board

The major concern of the Ethics Board is the preservation of the high ethical standards of the City of Milwaukee. The Ethics Board addresses this concern by:

• Issuing confidential advisory opinions to covered persons with respect to their own situation or plans. A factual summary will be issued annually deleting all personal references.

• Investigating sworn complaints. The board provides a format and process for filing complaints. While a complaint and the findings of the Board may become matters of public record, only the complainant's name will be released until the Board has concluded its review.

• Requiring annual financial statements. The Board reviews a simple form which asks for information on the issues that could give rise to conflicts of interest. No detailed financial disclosure is required. The individuals required to file such statements are listed by position in the Positions Ordinance.

Who Is Covered?

The Ethics Ordinance of the City of Milwaukee specifically covers:

• Office holders or candidates for public office

• Employees in the classified service.

• Exempt employees.

• Citizens serving on boards or commissions.

What Concerns Are Addressed?

The major concern of the Ethics Board is to maintain the high ethical standards of Milwaukee's city government. The ordinance prohibits business associations, financial interests or other activities which could give rise to conflicts of interest in fact or appearance.