In this division these words have the meaning indicated:
Debt.
Money owed, indebtedness, fee, fine, assessment, lien, judgment, or other legally enforceable obligation owed by a person to the city which is in arrears. However, “debt” shall not include any fees assessed or fines imposed by a municipal citation or citations that has not been finally adjudicated and for which the aggregate sum of such fees or fines does not exceed $200.00.
Person.
An individual, sole proprietorship, association, corporation, nonprofit corporation, partnership of any kind, joint venture, limited liability company, and any other business entity that proposes or otherwise seeks to enter into a contract or other transaction with the city.
(Ordinance 660 adopted 2/14/17)
For contracts or transactions subject to competitive bidding or proposals under Texas Local Government Code chapter 252, as amended, or other applicable law, and pursuant to the authority granted by Texas Local Government Code section 252.0436, the city council shall refuse and disqualify any bid or transaction with a person who is found to owe a debt to the city as of the date that the bid or transaction is to be awarded, even if the person presents the apparent low bid, successful proposal, or best offer, subject to the conditions outlined in section 1.03.054.
(Ordinance 660 adopted 2/14/17)
For any contracts or transactions not subject to competitive bidding or proposals, the city council or authorized city official may refuse to enter into a contract or approve a transaction with such person who is found to owe a debt to the city subject to the conditions outlined in section 1.03.054.
(Ordinance 660 adopted 2/14/17)
(a) 
The city council or authorized city official may, but is not required to, disregard any disqualifying debt by considering the following:
(1) 
The amount of the debt; the age of the debt; the number of debts or transactions for which the person owes; and any other circumstances surrounding the debt that the official or city council deems material and relevant to the financial responsibility of the person to perform the contract with the city; or
(2) 
Whether there is an emergency or exigent circumstance surrounding the pending purchase or transaction.
(b) 
Upon an affirmative finding by the city council or authorized city official based on the above outlined conditions of this section justifying disregarding the debt, the city council or authorized official may proceed with the purchase or transaction notwithstanding the provisions outlined in sections 1.03.052 and 1.03.053.
(Ordinance 660 adopted 2/14/17)
The city manager or their designee may establish any policies and procedures necessary to administer this article including requiring persons submitting to the city bids, proposals, contracts or other transactions to disclose any and all debts owed to the city.
(Ordinance 660 adopted 2/14/17)