§ 2-505. Conflict disclosure statements

(a) A city official shall file a sworn conflicts disclosure statement with the city secretary whenever a city official or a family member (i) is receiving taxable income from an employment or other business relationship with a person or business entity who has contracted with the city for the sale or purchase of real property, goods or services or that is considering contracting with the city for the sale or purchase of real property, goods or services that exceeds $2,500.00 (not including investment income) during the 12-month period preceding the date that the city official became aware of the contract, or (ii) has received gifts with a value of more than $250.00 during the 12-month period preceding the date that the city official became aware of the contract from a person or business entity that contracts with the city for the sale or purchase of real property, goods or services or that the city is considering doing business with such person or business entity. The city official shall file the conflicts disclosure statement with the city secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh business day after the date the city official becomes aware of the facts that require the filing of the statement.

(b) A city official commits an offense if the city official knowingly fails to file the conflicts disclosure statement. An offense under the above subsection is a class C misdemeanor.

(c) The city secretary shall accept and file any and all city official conflict disclosure statements and any vendor conflict of interest questionnaires.

(d) The city secretary shall maintain a list of city officials and shall make that list available to the public and any person who may be required to file a conflicts of interest questionnaire. The city secretary shall maintain copies of the conflict disclosure statements and conflict questionnaires on the city's internet website.

(e) City officials shall abstain from participation in, discussion of, and any vote on a matter involving a person or business entity, if, within the 12 months preceding the date of the vote, the city official has filed, or should have filed, a conflicts disclosure statement under V.T.C.A., Local Government Code ch. 176.