HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 01-14 Expressing Opposition to House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339TOWN OF WESTLAKE
RESOLUTION NO. 01-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN
OF WESTLAKE, 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 requirements contained in House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339 that would
require an elected city 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 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 Town of Westlake; 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, 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 Town of Westlake 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
WESTLAKE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1: That the above findings are hereby considered to be true and correct and
are incorporated herein in their entirety.
1
SECTION 2: That the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Westlake strongly oppose
House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339.
SECTION 3: That this Resolution shall take effect upon the date of its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this the 12th day of March, 2001.
ATTEST:
anger rossway, Town Se e ary
L. Sinton Vow` , Toywf Attorney
Scott Bradley, Mayor
Trent Petty, Town Manager
V