The Brownsville City Commission on Tuesday conducted the first of two public hearings on a new code of ethics.
The current code of ethics, which is found in Chapter 38 of the Code of Ordinances, expired on July 1, 2005.
In a work session held Jan. 22, City Attorney Rene De Coss recommended that the code of ethic’s language be changed in order to amend the expiration date and update to which boards the code applies.
De Coss said the challenge was to make a code of ethics that would stand on its own for years to come.
The proposed code states the chapter “shall not expire and will remain in full effect, unless specifically amended, replaced or terminated by the city commission,” according to the agenda binder documents.
De Coss told The Rider that the biggest differences between the existing and proposed codes are that the city policy will be compliant with the Texas Government Code and complaints or petitions are to be reviewed immediately by management, legal and the soon-to-be-created ethics board.
He said the new code of ethics will benefit the city because it will make sure everyone understands their duties regarding personal finances, and will provide avenues on how to address issues.
“I think, first of all, it’ll make sure that everyone understands their duties regarding reporting personal finances,” De Coss said. “Second, it gives an avenue to vendors, to citizens, to employees, to public officials, to be able to bring forward items they believe are in violation of how people should conduct themselves when representing the City of Brownsville. So, it establishes a clear way or manner of addressing issues.”
De Coss said he hopes the new code of ethics will allow for transparency and allows people to have a clear idea of what they can and cannot do when representing the city.
“I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “There’s a reason why most cities have them. We’re hoping that it’s used by people in order to better the City of Brownsville. … We believe this is a good tool for the city and, hopefully, it’ll be an item that allows transparency and allows for people to have a clear idea of what they can and cannot do when they represent the City of Brownsville.”
A second hearing on the proposed code of ethics is scheduled March 19.
In other business, the commission accepted Commissioner At Large “A” Cesar De Leon’s resignation letter, effective Feb. 22.
In his resignation letter, De Leon explained that he “waited for all the candidates to have a place on the ballot” in order for the “citizens and not the Commission” to get to choose a new commissioner.
As previously reported by The Rider in October 2017, De Leon resigned from his position following leaked audio recordings in which he used racial slurs. The recordings were circulated across social media. He later revoked his resignation.
The position is among three commissioner seats on the ballot in the May General Municipal Elections.
