Ethical Practices Board

• Ethical Complaint/Inquiry Submission Form
• City Code
• U.S. Office of Government Ethics
• EPB Brochure

Members of the Ethical Practices Board are appointed by the Appointing Committee, which is made up of the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester, and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s office.    

Interested members may complete an online application.

Ordinance Chapter 2-16 – Public Ethics

The following list includes opinions issued by the Ethical Practices Board.  Any questions related to these opinions may be addressed to the Board.

• Opinion 09-01 - Elected Official Participation in Committee Meetings

• Daniel Borup - Member
  • daniel.d.borup@gmail.com
• Gloria DeBusman - Member
  • gdebusman@icloud.com
• Paul Grinde - Member
  • 58grinde@gmail.com
• Robert Haeussinger - Member
• Faye Harris - Vice Chair
  • distillment@yahoo.com
• Timothy Hornseth - Secretary
  • tjhornseth@charter.net
• Nick Nedland - Member

• The Ethical Practices Board meets as often as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. Meeting dates will vary depending on members' schedules.
• Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held in conference room 104 of at City Hall (201 4 Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904).
• Meeting Agenda, minutes and videos can be found on the Boards & Commissions webpage.

• Board shall have jurisdiction to review and make findings concerning any alleged violation of Rochester Code Chapter 2-16 by any public officials;
• To make notification, extend deadlines, conduct investigations, make Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order, review allegations and conduct hearings as needed to decide in there was a violation of RCO Chapter 2-16;
• To report its Findings regarding any complaint to the person’s Appointing Authority and to the City Administrator;
• To issue ethics opinions to public officials regarding the propriety of any matter within the Board’s jurisdiction;
• To conduct a preliminary investigation of a filed complaint,
• To promote City’s ethics programs
• To make recommendations for changes to the Code

• Public officials are agents of the public and hold office for the public's benefit.
• That all persons acting in public service maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct in their transaction of public business, and that standards be clearly defined to the public.
• Public officials should be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people.
• Public office may not be used for personal gain.
• The Code of Ethics is for elected or appointed public officials, citizen volunteers, and candidates for public office.  
• The purpose of the Code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for such persons and to require disclosure of private or financial interests in matters involving the City. 

• The Ethical Practices Board has 7 members who are residents of the City of Rochester.
• Members serve three-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms. 

Michael Spindler-Krage, City Attorney

Jody Houghton, Executive Assistant

• A Public Official must report any conduct by another Public Official that he or she believes violates the Code of Ethics.
• The improper conduct of a non-appointed Public Official must be reported to either the alleged violator's supervisor or department head. Upon resolution, the supervisor or department head must notify the Board of the report and resolution.
• The improper conduct of an appointed Public Official who is not a department head must be reported to the alleged violator's supervisor, department head or Appointing Authority.  Upon resolution, the supervisor or department head must notify the Board of the report and resolution.
• The improper conduct of a department head or an elected official must be reported to the Board.