(a) 
Gifts.
It is a violation of this code for an official to accept any gift or favor from any person that might reasonably tend to influence the official in the discharge of public duties, or grant in the discharge of municipal operations, any improper favor, service, or thing of value.
(b) 
Special treatment.
It is a violation of this code for an official to use a municipal position to secure or grant any special consideration, treatment, exemptions or advantage to the official, or to any person, that is not available to the general public. This prohibition does not apply to nonmonetary, honorary gestures, such as designated parking for officials invited as special guests at civic events.
(c) 
Information.
It is a violation of this code for an official to disclose confidential or privileged information that could adversely affect the property, fiscal affairs, or litigation interests of the city unless such disclosure is required by law, nor use any information gained by reason of being an official for one’s own personal gain or benefit or for the private interest of others.
(d) 
Financial interest.
It is a violation of this code for an official to transact any business on behalf of the city in an official capacity regarding any business entity or real property in which the official has a financial interest.
(e) 
Compensation.
It is a violation of this code for an official to directly receive any fee or compensation for services from any source other than the city, unless the fee or compensation is derived from outside employment in accordance with a city policy permitting outside employment.
(f) 
Resources.
It is a violation of this code for an official to use city supplies, equipment, facilities or personnel for any purpose other than the conduct of official city business, unless done so in accordance with a program made available to the general public or in accordance with a city policy permitting use of city resources for outside employment that benefits the city.
(g) 
Misrepresentation.
It is a violation of this code for an official to misrepresent the official’s identity when communicating with any person regarding matters pending before the city, issues of city business, or city elections. This prohibition does not apply to officials engaged in law enforcement activities.
(Ordinance 2019-05-15-01 adopted 5/20/19; Ordinance 2022-11-07-01 adopted 11/7/2022)
These prohibitions do not apply to:
(1) 
Items valued at fifty dollars ($50.00) or less;
(2) 
Honorary items, such as plaques, trophies, ribbons, and floral arrangements;
(3) 
Entertainment in the form of food, beverages, travel or spectator events at which an official is a guest of a reputable charitable organization and a representative of the host organization is present;
(4) 
Donations made to the city as an entity for use on city property or for city events that have been pre-approved by the city manager;
(5) 
Nothing herein shall be construed to apply this provision to campaign donations;
(6) 
A fee prescribed by law to be received by a public servant or any other benefit to which the public servant is lawfully entitled or for which he gives legitimate consideration in a capacity other than as a public servant;
(7) 
A gift or other benefit conferred on account of kinship or a personal, professional, or business relationship independent of the official status of the recipient; or
(8) 
A donation made to an official by a reputable charitable organization. Reputable charitable organizations that provide donations or charitable gifts exclusively to officials and that exceed $3,000.00 in cumulative annual donations shall submit an annual report no later than April 15th of each year to the city manager.
(A) 
The report shall state for the preceding calendar year the total number of donations made to officials and the total amount donated.
(B) 
The city council may require the city manager to provide such annual reports to the council.
(C) 
Reputable charitable organization that makes donations or other charitable contributions simultaneously available to members of the general public as well as to officials does not have to submit an annual report to the city.
(Ordinance 2022-11-07-01 adopted 11/7/2022)
(a) 
City councilmember, commissioner, or employee.
It is a violation of this code for a city councilmember, commissioner, or employee to represent another person before the city council or a commission. It is also a violation of this code for a city councilmember or employee to represent any private interest of others in any action or proceeding involving the city, or participate on behalf of others in any litigation to which the city might be a party, or to accept any retainer or compensation that is contingent upon a specific action taken by the city.
(Ordinance 2019-05-15-01 adopted 5/20/19)
It is a violation of this code for an employee to accept other employment or engage in outside consulting as an independent contractor if such activities are incompatible with the full and proper discharge of the employee’s municipal duties and responsibilities with the city, or which might impair the employee’s independent judgment in the performance of municipal duties. It is conduct incompatible with this code for an employee to represent or accept employment from any person engaged in a judicial or administrative proceeding adverse to the city, or to accept employment with a vendor. Incompatible conduct may be waived in writing by the city manager.
(Ordinance 2019-05-15-01 adopted 5/20/19)
It is a violation of this code for an employee to, within one (1) year of leaving the city’s employment, accept employment or engage in consulting as a contractor representing any person before the city council, or any commission in matters related to the particular field of endeavor or area of interest involved in such person’s services to the city.
(Ordinance 2019-05-15-01 adopted 5/20/19)
The administration of this code will be handled in a discrete and professional manner and conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act. It is a violation under this code and an offense under the Texas Public Information Act to publicly disclose the city’s confidential information.
(Ordinance 2019-05-15-01 adopted 5/20/19)
For the purposes of this section, “retaliation” is defined as the use or threat to use any authority or influence to affect any harmful action against another person related to their participation in or before the board. It is a violation of this code for an official, subject, or anyone acting on an official’s, or subject’s behalf, to retaliate against:
(1) 
Any person who in good faith brings a complaint or request for an advisory opinion to the board;
(2) 
Any witness giving a statement or other evidence to the board; or
(3) 
Any member of the board of ethics.
(Ordinance 2019-05-15-01 adopted 5/20/19)