About GMA

Cities of Ethics

GMA’s City of Ethics program promotes ethical standards at the local level. While it does not endorse past or present conduct by any city or official, it encourages cities to adopt ethical principles and ordinances that empower citizens and provide clear processes for addressing concerns.

View Participating Entities

Becoming a "Certified City of Ethics"

To earn this designation, a city must complete the following steps:

    1. Adopt a Resolution Establishing Five Ethics Principles These principles guide the conduct of elected officials both as individuals and as a governing body:
      • Serve others, not ourselves
      • Use resources with efficiency and economy
      • Treat all people fairly
      • Use the power of your position for the well-being of your constituents
      • Create an environment of honesty, openness, and integrity The resolution must either include or reference these definitions. A majority of the city's elected governing body must sign the resolution. See the Sample Resolution for reference.
    2. Adopt an Ethics Ordinance The ordinance should outline permissible and impermissible activities, provide due process for addressing violations, and specify penalties for misconduct. Consult GMA’s Sample Ethics Ordinance for essential provisions, and refer to the publication "Ethics in Government: Charting the Right Course" for day-to-day guidance.

Once these are adopted, submit the resolution, ordinance, and a one-time $85 application fee (for first-time applicants) to:

Georgia Municipal Association
Attention: Gina Gresham
201 Pryor Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

The materials will be reviewed by the GMA Ethics Certification Committee, a panel of city attorneys, for approval.

Recognition for Certified Cities of Ethics

Upon approval, the city will receive a plaque, a logo for city materials, and a press release will be sent to local media announcing the designation.

Submission Deadlines

Cities seeking recognition at the Cities United Summit (January) must submit materials by November 30. For recognition at the GMA Annual Convention (June), materials must be submitted by April 30.