proposed answer to first question

In December 2008, the city of Alexandria, Virginia, hired an ethics consultant for $9000/ year. He is supposed to help the city set priorities in a scarce resources situation. In consultation with the ethicist, the city has set funding priorities. Do you think that cities need to hire an ethicist? Why, or why not?

Cities must make decisions to set priorities when allocating scarce resources. City council members, mayors and city managers have available the advice of the city attorney and/or their professional organizations when faced with ethical dilemmas. For example, the International City/County Managers Association provides published information and will respond to ethical questions raised by members of their organization (1). Many Texas cities are members of the Texas Municipal League which also offers articles about ethical decision (2) and will provide advice on ethical matters when requested. In most cases, cities should have sufficient resources available to make rational, ethical funding decisions without the use of a professional ethic advisor.

Although all cities may not need to hire an ethicist in order to set priorities, it may be helpful in certain type of decisions. An independent, unbiased, professional-trained decision from an “outsider” may be more acceptable to council, mayors, citizens, employees, or the press than one derived from inside the political process. This is particularly helpful in the decision to reduce or eliminate services to the public, especially services to the elderly, disabled, or less fortunate. Those types of decisions are ripe for council squabbles, letters to the editor, and bad press. A decision based on the recommendations of a professional may be more acceptable to those with diverse interests which may give it a greater chance for survival in the political process than decisions that are based solely within the organization.

The type of decision Alexandria, Virginia had to make fits the above credentials. The Community Services Board faced a $2.3 million reduction of state and local funds. A new program, Safe Haven, which provides housing for the homeless was scheduled to begin. The professional ethicist suggested the Board focus on maintain the services already in place to help the those with mental health or substance abuse problems, and to delay the start of new programs until funds are available for both on-going and new programs. (3)

(1) See the following website to view the information sources available from the ICMA concerning ethics. http://icma.org/main/topic.asp?tpid=25&hsid=10&ssid1=2530&ssid2=2780

(2) See the following website to view the information available in print from the Texas Municipal League concerning resources for articles about ethics. http://www.tml.org/legal-topics/legal_ethics.html

(3) Olson, Laura. “Alexandria, Va. Turns to Ethicist to help with Budget Cuts,” Los Angeles Times, 1/2/09 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-government-ethicist2-2009jan02,0,6466351.story