JANUARY 31 – LOBBYIST SEMI-ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT

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. 

FEBRUARY 1 – FULL DISCLOUSRE OF FINANCIAL INTEREST

Those who make decisions involving public personnel, property, resources, and fund 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 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.

APRIL 30TH OF EACH YEAR – A SIGNED AND SWORN UPDATED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.

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.

JULY 1 – DELINQUENT REPORTS.

Within 60 days of the April 30th filing, 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.

JULY 31 – LOBBYIST SEMI-ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT

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. 

DECEMBER 31 – LOBBYIST REGISTRATION & TERMINATION

Any person who lobbies any County Official or County Employee shall register annually as a Lobbyist with the Secretary to the County Board of Ethics on or before the date they engage in Lobbying activity. All registrations expire on December 31 of each year. 

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

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.

CREATION AND MEMBERSHIP.

Vacancies on the Board shall be filled within 60 days. In the event that a vacancy on the Board goes unfilled for 60 days, the remaining members of the Board of Ethics shall fill the vacancy.

Members shall be appointed for a two-year term; except that appointments, which are made to fill vacancies arising during a term, shall be for the remainder of the un-expired term. Terms shall be staggered and each member serve until his her successor appointed.

COMPLAINTS, INVESTIGATIONS AND HEARINGS.

The written complaint shall state the nature of the alleged violation, the date, time and place of each occurrence, and the name of the person(s) charged with the violation. Within ten working days of the receipt of a complaint, the Board of Ethics shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint to the complainant and shall forward a copy of the complaint and a general statement of the applicable procedures for responding to the person who is the subject of the complaint.