Opinion No. Oag 39-78, (1978)

ROBERT P. RUSSELL, Corporation Counsel Milwaukee County

You request my opinion with respect to six questions relating to the validity of certain portions of a proposed code of ethics for county officials and employes.

You state that the only authority granted to counties to adopt a code of ethics is found in sec. 19.45 (11)(c), Stats., which provides:

"Counties and municipalities may and should establish a code of ethics for local public officials."

Whereas this is the only express reference to a code of ethics, and although counties have only those legislative powers expressly granted by statute…