The Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board may issue advisory opinions related to ethics, conflicts of interest, and any other topic over which it has jurisdiction. An advisory opinion is an interpretation of the City Charter as it applies to a set of facts provided in writing by the individual requesting the opinion. The purpose of an advisory opinion is to provide guidance to a public official or city employee before the official or employee engages in an action that may be prohibited.

The Ethics Officer may provide an informal opinion in wait of a formal opinion. An informal opinion is an interpretation of the Ethics Code, which is not binding. A formal opinion is approved by the Ethics Board and represents their interpretation of the City Charter at the time of the request.

The opinions in this database contain the advice of the Ethics Board based on the City Charter at the time of each opinion. Opinions are not updated to reflect changes in the City Charter, more recent opinions, or other laws. Feel free to contact the Ethics Office for more information.

Recent Questions and Answers

Misuse of Public Position - August 19, 2025
Q:Does a city employee employed by the City of Tallahassee Fire Department violate Section 2-8 of the Tallahassee Ethics Code by wearing his or her firefighter uniform or similar apparel during activities sponsored or conducted by a private business in which the city employee has an ownership stake that exceeds 2 percent and will receive compensation?

A: Based on the facts presented by the inquirer and this Board’s reliance on those facts, this question is answered in the affirmative. The Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board finds that the inquirer would violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code’s prohibition on misuse of public position by wearing a city-issued firefighter uniform or similar apparel during practices, games, or other events sponsored, operated, directed, managed, or supervised by his or her private business as it would constitute an improper use of public position and city resources for personal benefit. (See Opinion AO 2025-01)

Misuse of Public Position - August 19, 2025
Q:Does a city employee employed by the Tallahassee Fire Department violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code by holding an ownership stake in excess of 2 percent in a private business and receiving compensation or by wearing his or her firefighter uniform in advertisements for activities sponsored by this business?

A: Based on the facts presented by the inquirer and this Board’s reliance on those facts, this question is answered in the negative. The Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board finds that the inquirer would not violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code’s prohibition on misuse of public position by engaging in compensated outside employment, even with an ownership interest in the business that exceeds 2 percent and where he or she will receive compensation from said business. (See Opinion AO 2025-01)

Misuse of Public Position - December 17, 2024
Q: Does a city employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on misuse of public position by working as an independent contractor with a third-party organization bidding on an RFP issued by the City of Tallahassee?

A: Based on other contingent factors discussed below in this opinion, this question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-08)

Disclosure or Use of Non-Public Information - December 17, 2024
Q: Does a city employee, who is not a “covered individual,” violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code if he or she discloses or uses information related to the RFP that is not available to the general public and is learned by way of his or her official position?

A: Since the Tallahassee Ethics Code does not impose its prohibition on the disclosure or use of nonpublic information on city employees who are not covered individuals, this question is answered in the negative. This conclusion does not consider potential ramifications under the state ethics code. (See Opinion AO 2024-08)

Registration of Lobbyists - December 17, 2024
Q: Does the inquirer violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code by engaging with a third party as an independent contractor to assist this third party in preparing and submitting a Request for Proposal (RFP) with the city?

A: Since the Tallahassee Ethics Code does not address the prohibitions or restrictions against one doing business with his or her agency or entering into a conflicting contractual relationship, this question is answered in the negative. This conclusion does not consider potential ramifications under the state ethics code. (See Opinion AO 2024-08)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - October 15, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by accepting free food and beverages from non-profit and for-profit organizations that have no relationship with the City of Tallahassee and offer these meals to all similarly situated employees?

A: The question, as it applies to the specific facts set forth, is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-07)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - April 16, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by attending an event, which is funded in part by donations from city vendors, when the event is open and free to similarly situated individuals?

A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-04)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - April 16, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by accepting free admission to an event sponsored by a city vendor when free admission is made available by that city vendor to similarly situated individuals?

A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-06)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - April 16, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by accepting free lodging paid for by the city vendor to attend an event?

A: This question is answered in the affirmative. (See Opinion AO 2024-06)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift by accepting payment from a company which is not a city vendor, in exchange for participating in a consumer satisfaction interview provided by that company when a city vendor may use the findings?

A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-01)

Misuse of Public Position - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a city employee violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on the misuse of public position by accepting payment from a company, which is not a city vendor, in exchange for participating in a consumer satisfaction interview provided by that company when a city vendor may use the findings?

A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-01)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation and acceptance of a gift by attending at no cost an event held by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and helping to raise money toward that 50l(c)(3) nonprofit at the event when the event has been financed by soliciting donations from lobbyists that appear before the City?

A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-02)

Misuse of Public Position - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on misuse of public position by participating in a community activity sponsored by a local business where he donates a personal item to be included in a scavenger hunt?

A: This question is answered in the negative. (See Opinion AO 2024-03)

Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts - February 20, 2024
Q: Does a covered individual violate the Tallahassee Ethics Code ban on solicitation or acceptance of a gift by participating in a community activity sponsored by a city vendor where the covered individual will receive publicity?

A: This question is answered in the affirmative. (See Opinion AO 2024-03)

Previous Advisory Opinions