The city of Lynnwood is committed to conducting its business in a fair, open, efficient and accountable manner. Public officials and employees shall conduct their public and private actions and financial dealings in a manner that shall present no apparent or actual conflict of interest between the public trust and their private interest. Each official and employee is assumed and expected to act in accordance with all laws that may apply to his or her position, as well as striving to avoid even an appearance of impropriety in the conduct of his or her office or business. Each employee and official should be informed of this code and meet its requirements. Questions regarding its interpretation concerning employees and officials should be brought to that person’s supervisor or mayor for interpretations of this code, and subject to any collective bargaining agreement, any action concerning violation of this code concerning officials and employees shall be determined by the mayor; provided questions regarding the interpretation of the code as applied to councilmembers, mayor and allegations of violation of this code by councilmembers, mayor, or members of advisory bodies shall be referred to the board of ethics through the process established herein. (Ord. 2112 § 2, 1996)