epcounty.com - Code of Ethics - Financial Statement Policy

Code of Ethics

Financial Statements Policy
A. Report. Those who make decisions involving public personnel, property, resources, and funds exercise substantial influence and discretion in the performance of their public duties. In the interest of full disclosure of their financial interest, candidates for elected office, elected officials, appointed officials, board and committee members, department heads and the purchasing agent shall file with the County Board of Ethics within 30 days of the effective date of this Code of Ethics, application for such office, taking office, appointment, or selection, a signed, sworn financial disclosure statement making known:
1. The name, address, and industry of any entity for whom that person is employed or self-employed;
2. The name, address, and industry of boards of directors of corporations on which the person serves, whether organized for profit or not, and whether such service is for compensation or not;
3. The name, address, and industry of any business in which the person has partnership or joint venture interest; and
4. The name, address, and industry of any business in which the person has a substantial financial interest.
The Board shall develop a form report for the purposes of this section.
There is no requirement to disclose the extent of financial involvement in any business interest. However, the county judge, a county commissioner, and the county attorney may provide a copy of their most current financial disclosure report filed pursuant to Chapter 159 of the Local Government Code in lieu of the financial disclosure statement required by this Code.
B. Time for Filing. Each person subject to this provision shall file with the County Board of Ethics a signed and sworn updated financial disclosure statement by April 30th of each year while in office or employed.
Each candidate for elected office and each candidate for a department head position shall be provided with a notice of the financial disclosure requirements at the time of application for such office or employment.
C. Delinquent Reports. Within 60 days after the effective date of this code of ethics, and thereafter no later than July 1 of each year, the County Board of Ethics shall prepare a delinquent report naming each person subject to this filing requirement who has not filed the required statement. Such report shall be submitted as an agenda item to the Commissioners Court at its next regular meeting. Another notice of the financial disclosure requirements shall be sent to each person who has not filed the required statement.
D. Publication. The County Board of Ethics shall submit all financial disclosure statements and delinquent reports to the County Information Technology Department for posting on the County website.

Campaign Contributions Policy
If a member of commissioners court, or candidate for a seat on commissioners court, accepts political campaign contributions of One Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($1,000.00) or more, including in-kind contributions, from any one person or entity within a twelve month period, he shall report the amounts, the donor, and the dates of said contributions by an item on the agenda of the El Paso County Commissioners Court within 30 days of the date of said contribution. The report shall also be placed upon the El Paso County web page. In the event that the report is not made within 30 days, the disposition of the contribution shall be determined by the Board of Ethics.

Lobbyist Activity Policy
A. Report. Each Lobbyist shall file an annual registration form with the County Board of Ethics prior to engaging in any Lobbying activity. A Lobbyist must file a registration form for each person from whom he receives Compensation (including reimbursement). A separate registration shall be filed for each client of a Lobbyist. There shall be no registration fee. The Lobbyist Registration form shall be proposed by the Ethics Board and approved by Commissioners Court from time to time.
B. Time for Filing. Each registered Lobbyist shall file an Activity Report with the County’s Board of Ethics semi-annually, on or before January 31 and July 31 of each year. The Activity Report shall specify the Lobbyist’s activities over the previous 6 month period for each person from whom the Lobbyist receives Compensation, including information regarding the specific issues that were the subject of the Lobbying activities, a list of County Officials and County Employees contacted by the Lobbyist, the amount of total expenditures made in connection with Lobbying activities. The Activity Report shall be on a form proposed by the Board of Ethics and approved by the Commissioners Court from time to time. Within 30 days after the Lobbyist terminates his relationship or ceases to perform Lobbyist activities for a client, the Lobbyist shall file a Notice of Termination with the Board of Ethics. The Lobbyist shall include any Lobbying activity prior to the termination in the semi-annual Activity Report.
C. Delinquent Activity. In addition to the remedies available under Section XIII.D, the Board of Ethics may from time to time publish a list of persons who have not registered prior to engaging in Lobbying activities or who have failed to comply with any of these registration requirements. Following a hearing as set forth in Section XIII.D, the Board of Ethics may also recommend to the Commissioners Court that a Lobbyist violating these requirements be suspended from Lobbying any County Official or County Employee for a period up to 12 months.