HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolutions (R-01-1781)-04/03/2001
RESOLUTION R-01-1781
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS,
EXPRESSING ITS OPPOSITION TO HOUSE BILL 64 AND SENATE BILL 339 THAT
WOULD REQUIRE EACH ELECTED CITY OFFICIAL, EACH CITY MANAGER, AND
EACH CITY ATTORNEY TO FILE A FINANCIAL STATEMENT DETAILING THE
PERSON'S FINANCES AND THE FINANCES OF THE PERSON'S SPOUSE AND
DEPENDENT CHILDREN; AND, DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Texas State Legislature is considering the passage of House Bill 64
and Senate Bill 339 that would require an elected official, city manager,
and city attorney to disclose the personal details of their finances and the
finances of the person's spouse and dependent children; and
WHEREAS, the requirements contained in House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339 will
have a chilling effect on the willingness of many people to run for office,
or stay in office, particularly in smaller cities like the City of Colleyville;
and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of elected officials are essentially volunteering their
services, and passage of House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339 will serve as
a deterrent to possible qualified candidates and other city officials such
as city managers and city attorneys if they must make public some of
their most personal and private information; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Municipal League has opposed House Bill 64 and Senate Bill
339 in public testimony to the Texas State Legislature stating that the
negative impact will deter potential mayors and councilmembers from
running for public office, create a barrier for small cities to retain
attorneys, and make it difficult for cities to recruit city managers; and
WHEREAS, city officials are currently subject to conflict of interest statutes, criminal
statutes, state law ethics opinions, and, in many instances, local charter
and ethics ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339 would indicate a
"presumption of corruption" that exists throughout local governments in
the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, the City of Colleyville disagrees that such a presumption of corruption
exists and believes that the current laws governing conflict of interest
sufficiently address the issues governing potential and real conflicts of
interest without violating the city official's personal right to privacy.
Resol ution R -01-1781
Page 2 of2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COLLEVILLE, TEXAS:
Sec. 1.
THAT the City Council of the City of Colleyville, Texas, strongly oppose
House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339 that would require each elected
official, each city manager, and each city attorney to file a financial
statement detailing the person's finances and the finances of the
person's spouse and dependent children.
Sec. 2.
THAT the City of Colleyville joins Texas Municipal League in opposing
this legislation that would deter city officials from participating in city
government.
Sec. 3.
THAT this Resolution shall take effect upon the date of its passage.
AND IT IS SO RESOLVED.
Passed by a vote of ~ ayes, 0 nays, and D abstentions, on this
.s ~ day of ~ ,2001.
A;~~~
Cynthia Singleton, TRMC
City Secretary
CITY OF COLLEYVILLE:
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Mayor