By Nathan Henne
In my office, I have lots of wall space to hang things. A copy of ICMA’s Code of Ethics is what is closest to my desk— and always visible. But no matter how many times I read Tenet 7, what I take from it has a tendency to change with each scenario in which I need its guidance. Our ICMA President, Mr. Ott, helped explain my conundrum in a way I could understand for the March ’21 issue of PM Magazine.
[The ICMA Code of Ethics] is a solid foundational document, but its application must reflect the times in which we live.
Tenet 7 guidance does indeed say that it is ethically acceptable for members to advocate for issues of interest as long as it does not conflict with their official duties. Recent articles have also advised that members are ethically allowed to advocate for small “p” political issues—in other words, political issues that are outside the scope of your employment. Tenet 3 makes sure we carry out that advocacy in a way that doesn’t require we wash our mouths out with soap afterwards.
If you are confused at this point, good. So was I. As professional government leaders, we are on the clock all the time. Anything we do can affect someone’s perception of this profession—a profession that has built a reputation of stewardship and public trust since Staughton, Virginia became the first city in the U.S. to appoint a city manager in 1908. That trust takes decades to build and can fall in a blink.
Am I saying Tenet 7 gives us too much leeway? No. Not if members think strategically about what the average citizen thinks is a divisive issue—and to also remember a sobering statistic: The average lifespan of a city manager in any city is five years. What one city’s residents may think is a non-divisive political issue, there is another that will think otherwise. Put another way: The issues within the scope of your employment as a manager are often subject to the fickle nature of public opinion.
Here is a personal example: My wife was just appointed as president of our county humane society. We love animals and have fostered countless abandoned pets—eventually finding them good homes. One thing our humane society lacks is steady revenue. Now, if there is ever a county-wide millage for our humane society, I may have to move out if I tell my wife, “Sorry, no political ‘vote yes’ signs on our lawn. Ethics…you know?” But I’m going to make sure that ‘vote yes’ sign jives with Tenet 3! There will be no “VOTE YES OR YOU HATE PUPPIES” signs on our lawn. However, there may be someone out there who thinks that the city manager of the largest city in our county should not be advocating for higher taxes—for animals or anything else. And that person may have friends who can be convinced I cannot be trusted. Am I scared of them? Heck no. But I will be sure to think strategically about that before any advocacy takes place.
This is simply a reminder that every decision has consequences. Think it through before you put that small “p” political yard sign in front of your home, or write that letter to the editor, or post that political opinion on social media. And as always, when in doubt, call me or the ICMA with any ethics questions. It always helps to talk things out, get advice, and share your own perspective.
Nathan Henne
Chair, Ethics Committee
Owosso City Manager
Nathan Henne began his employment in his hometown of Owosso as city manager in April 2018. He has previously served as a MLGMA Fellow for the City of Mason, town manager of Lake City, Colorado, and city manager of Springfield, Michigan. He and his wife, Carrie, live on his family’s ancestral farm in Owosso—spending their spare time maintaining and operating the farm, fostering dogs, and enjoying the Michigan outdoors. You may reach him at 989-494-8407 or nathan.henne@ci.owosso.mi.us.