Code of Ethics

The purpose of the Georgia Association of Tax Officials is to increase the proficiency of county tax commissioners, receivers, collectors, and to strengthen the quality if local government through professional management. To further these objectives, certain ethical principles shall govern the conduct of every member of the Georgia Association, who shall:

1. Uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of Georgia and of all governments therein and never be a party to their evasion.
2. Recognize that the chief function of local government at all times is to serve the best interests of all the people.
3. Keep the community informed on local affairs; encourage communications between the citizens and all local officers; emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public; and seek to improve the quality and image of public service.
4. Seek no favor; believe that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.
5. Be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local government and believe that professional general management is essential to the achievement of this objective.
6. Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honesty and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order that the member may merit the respect and confidence of their peers, or other officials and employees, and of the public.
7. Make it a duty continually to improve the members professional ability and to develop the competence of associates in the use of management technique.
8. Resist any encroachment of professional responsibilities, believe the member should be free to carry out officials policies without interference, and handle each problem without discrimination on the basis of principal and justice.
9. Handle all matters of personnel on the basis or merit so that fairness and impartiality govern a member's decisions, pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline.
10. Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by government and maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude toward local affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted public servant.