For Contractors:
A person or business, and their agents, who contract with
the city or seek to contract with the city are required
by Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 176, to file a
conflicts disclosure questionnaire (FORM CIQ) created by
the Texas Ethics Commission which is available online at
www.ethics.state.tx.us. The form must be filed with the
city no later than seven (7) days after the date the person
or business begins contract discussions or negotiations
with the city, or submits an application, response to a
request for proposals or bids, correspondence, or other
writing related to a potential agreement with the city.
Such person and businesses, and their agents, must also
file an updated questionnaire not later than September
1 of each year in which the person or business begins contract
discussions or negotiations with the city, or submits an
application, response to a request for proposals or bids,
correspondence, or other writing related to a potential
agreement with a city and within seven (7) days after the
date of an event that would make as filed questionnaire
incomplete or inaccurate. An updated complete questionnaire
is not required if the person or business filed a questionnaire
or updated questionnaire after June 1 but before September
1.
For Elected and Appointed Officials:
Officers of the City and its boards and commissions (including
EDC) must file a "conflicts disclosure statement" (FORM
CIS) with the local government records administrator
with seven days of becoming aware of:
1. the officer or a
family member of the officer has an employment or business
relationship that results in taxable income with a person
who has executed a contract with the City or with whom
the City is considering doing business; or
2. the officer or a family member of the officer has accepted
one or more gifts (other than food, lodging, transportation,
or entertainment) with an aggregate value of $250 in
the preceding 12 months from a person who has executed
a contract with the City or who is being considered for
business with the City.
A family member is defined a
s a person related to another person within the first degree
by consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage) which includes
a spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, father-in-law,
mother-in-law, etc.
The conflicts disclosure statement (Form
CIS) has been created by the Texas Ethics Commission and
is available online at www.ethics.state.tx.us . Failure
to disclose information is Class C misdemeanor punishable
by a fine not to exceed $500. A defense if the official
files the required statement within 7 days after receipt
of notice of the violation.