2.4.1.050 Findings

The Council hereby finds and declares that:

(a) The Governor represents the Pueblo at all times throughout the duration of his/her term.

(b) The Governor shall act in the best interest of the People in order to respect, perpetuate, and advance the culture, values, customs, and traditions of the Pueblo.

(c) Components of ethical behavior for the Governor include honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability, confidentiality, objectivity, respectfulness, obedience to the law, and loyalty. The Governor has an ethical duty to promote the well-being, happiness, and flourishing of the Pueblo and People.

(d) The Governor is responsible to exhibit social responsibility, fiduciary responsibility, and ethical business practices. The Governor shall avoid conflicts of interest, bribery/kickbacks, appearance of impropriety, and unethical and illegal actions. It is the responsibility of the Governor, in accordance with the laws enacted by the Council, to balance the interaction of profit-maximizing business with non-economic concerns.

(e) The Agreement establishes a separation of functions between the law-making and budget powers vested in the Council, and the executive functions vested in the Governor, and under the Agreement, the Council may remove a Governor from office by a vote of four-fifths vote of the entire Council after providing due process.

(f) Acts that violate a law or regulation and are punishable by law shall be adjudicated by the Courts; provided, that any adjudication in the Courts shall not prevent the Council from exercising its authority to remove a Governor as authorized by the People in the Agreement. The Governor is expected to govern himself/herself in accordance with the laws as contained in applicable written statutes, codes, and resolutions, including, without limitation, the laws of the Pueblo.

(g) Failure of the Governor to comply with this Code of Ethics may result in a decision by the Council to remove the Governor from office.