The City of LaGrange was recertified as a City of Ethics on Monday.

The mayor and city council have resolved to conduct themselves as a group and as individuals in accordance to the City of Ethics principles and pledged to conduct its affairs accordingly.

“I was delighted to see that LaGrange had been recertified as a City of Ethics,” said LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton. “It’s a great statewide program through GMA that recognizes cities with a demonstrated commitment to transparency and ethical behavior in the conduct of the public’s business.”

To become a Certified City of Ethics, the city must adopt a resolution establishing five ethical principles for the conduct of the city’s officials and also adopt an ethics ordinance that meets minimum standards approved by the GMA Board.

The five ethical principles are:

Serve others, not ourselves

Use resources with efficiency and economy

Treat all people fairly

Use the power of our position for the well-being of our constituents

Create an environment of honesty, openness and integrity

The City of LaGrange initially received the “Cities of Ethics” designation in 2014.

LaGrange received its recertification Monday, June 25 at the Georgia Municipal Association’s Annual Convention in Savannah.

LaGrange joins more than 200 cities that have received the designation.

“Mayor Thornton and council members are dedicated to their roles as public servants and epitomize the values of kindness, civility and integrity,” LaGrange City Manager Meg Kelsey said.

“Our recertification as a City of Ethics is the direct result of their longstanding commitment to the citizens of LaGrange. Every day I see how our elected leadership is working in the best interest of LaGrange.”

The City of Ethics program began in 1999 and was developed by a panel of business and government leaders to encourage cities to adopt and adhere to a set of key ethical principles and adopt a local ethics ordinance.

To keep up with the latest news involving the City of LaGrange, go to www.lagrangega.org or follow the city on Facebook at facebook.com/lagrangegagov, Twitter at @lagrangegagov and Instagram at instagram.com/cityoflagrangega.