Laserfiche WebLink
APPENDIX B - GUIDELINES FOR MAKING ETHICAL DECISIONS <br />[Please visit the Markkula Center for Applied <br />Ethics at the University of Santa Clara] <br />How to Make an Ethical Decision. When presented with an opportunity to participate <br />in making a decision for the City, the City Official should: <br />A. Recognize whether an ethical issue is involved. <br />1. Will the decision result in damage or injury to people? <br />2. Is there a clear good or bad result <br />3. Is the result compelled under the law or does it hinge on budgetary, efficiency, or <br />other community concerns? <br />4. Ethical decisions are often not the easiest decision nor the most popular. <br />B. Get the facts. <br />1. Read the staff report and get questions answered by the City Manager in <br />advanc <br />2. Are there alternatives that would lead to better or worse results <br />3. What are the viewpoints of the stakeholders? Are some more important than <br />others? <br />4. Are there any unanticipated consequences <br />C. Evaluate alternative actions. Which option will: <br />1. Produce the most good and do the least harm (See The Markkula Center's <br />Utility Test.) <br />a. Identify the alternative actions that are possible and the persons and <br />groups (the stakeholders) who will be affected by these actions. <br />b. For each of the most promising alternatives, determine the benefits and <br />costs to each person or group affected. <br />C. Select the action in the current situation that produces the greatest <br />benefits over costs for all affected. <br />d. Ask what would happen if the action were a policy for all similar <br />situations. <br />2. Best respect the rights of all who have a stake? (See The Markkula Center's <br />Rights Test.) <br />a. Identify the right being upheld or violated. <br />-1- <br />R I V X14832 -553 6-0519 v3 <br />