Explore this ICMA timeline displaying a century of ethical leadership.
Code of Ethics Adopted at the ICMA Conference in Montreal.
1938. In the first amendment, a preamble was added to better explain the council-manager structure and ICMA’s mission. Article 3, while the language has been updated over the years, remains intact today with local government professionals governed by the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships to merit respect and inspire confidence in the organization and the public.
One of the first amendments to the ICMA Code of Ethics declared that personnel decisions should be merit-based and noted “political, religious, and racial considerations” carry no weight.
1952. The ongoing debate over the manager’s precise role in the policy arena was reflected in modifications to the policy-related articles. Sagely, the Code advised managers to avoid public conflict with the council on controversial issues.
The ethical obligation for continuous professional development was added to the Code.
1969. Changes to the ICMA Constitution resulted in membership expansion, so the Code stopped using the term “city manager” in favor of the more inclusive reference to “member.” The change reflects the addition of county managers to ICMA.
1972. The profession’s commitment to political neutrality, dropped in the 1938 revision, reappeared in more direct language in a new Tenet 7 that stressed refraining from participation in the member’s employing legislative body, as well as from all partisan political activities that would impair the member’s performance as a professional administrator.
Guidelines are added to the Code to offer practical guidance on how members should meet their ethical obligations.
Formal rules of procedure to enforce the Code were adopted by the ICMA Executive Board.
1976. As the Equal Rights Amendment is debated nationally, the Code was made gender neutral in recognition of the fact that women were a part of the profession.
To fulfill the spirit of ICMA's commitment to the preservation of the values and integrity of representative local government and local democracy, ICMA works to maintain and enhance public trust and confidence in local government, to achieve equity and social justice, to affirm human dignity, and to improve the quality of life for the individual and the community. Members of ICMA dedicate themselves to the faithful stewardship of the public trust and embrace 11 ideals of management excellence.
1995. Replaced “municipal,” which was added to be more inclusive of the membership, with “local government.”
1998. An increase in members’ political activity led to an amendment designed to clarify the profession’s commitment to political neutrality in Tenet 7 by emphasizing the broader principle. The new version stated: “Refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators. Refrain from participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body.”
Tenet 7 guidelines were amended to clarify that members shall not run for elected office or engage in other political activity.
Sexual orientation was added to the guideline under Tenet 11 on fairness, merit, and impartiality in personnel practices.
A new Tenet 7 guideline was added to reinforce that members have a right and responsibility to voice their opinion on public issues when doing so does not conflict with the performance of their official duties.
2014. The Code celebrates 90 years
2014. In conversations with the membership, the overwhelming feedback was that Tenet 12, as written, used archaic language and seemed to present two disconnected principles. The prior version (“Seek no favor; believe that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest”) was replaced with “Public office is a public trust. A member shall not leverage his or her position for personal gain or benefit.”
2014. The structured review of the Code with the membership to ensure its ongoing relevance to the profession.
2017. Tenet 3, last amended in 1976, is one of the two tenets that applies to all members. (The other is Tenet 1). The revised language adopted by the membership strengthened the profession’s commitment to integrity in Tenet 3 and included guidance on workplace relationships.
2018. Tenet 4 was revised to include new guidelines on equity and inclusion with the commitment to serve the best interests of all.
The Code celebrates 95 Years!
2019. Conduct unbecoming of professionals was addressed in a new guideline. The language to Tenets 1 and 2 were voted on by the membership and updated to emphasize the profession’s commitment to democratic principles and the value of local government services.
2020. Tenet 5 was revised by the membership to reinforce the value of providing technical and professional advice in policy recommendations and collaboration to set goals. Also, the guideline on serving in conflicting roles was revised. Tenet 6 was changed to reinforce that elected officials are accountable to the people for policy decisions.
2023. As part of the comprehensive review of the Code through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, 84% of members casting a ballot voted to approve amendments to Tenets 1, 4, 9 and 11 and the board approved changes to associated guidelines in June 2023. The three-year effort involved feedback sessions with over 600 members, and more than 2,000 members provided a survey response with 2,800 written comments that the board reviewed.
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