History:

On June 28, 2000 the Dallas City Council passed ordinance No. 24316 which established in Chapter 12A of the Dallas City Code a new code of ethics for all city officials and employees.

This new code of ethics states that its purpose is to provide principles of conduct for elected and appointed city officials and to revise the ethics laws governing current and former officials and employees of the city. Additionally, its purpose is to provide regulations, restrictions and prohibitions relating to improper economic benefits, unfair advancement of private interests, gifts, confidential government information, outside employment, and use of public property and resources. It also regulates political activities of city officials and employees, provides restrictions on contracting with the city and representing private interests of others before the city, provides requirements for certain city officials and employees to file financial disclosure reports and travel reports. The creation of the “CODE OF ETHICS” also provides for the creation, membership, qualifications, jurisdiction and powers of the Ethics Advisory Commission, which is currently comprised of a seven-member group.

Introduction:

The City of Dallas has made a commitment to the people of this city that their government will be conduct itself with integrity and honesty. The City Council has established minimum standards of conduct for all officers and employees, and with all who provide services to the city.

The Ethics Advisory Committee is a forum for all people to report any perceived breach of that standard to a non-partisan panel of private citizens, who are charged with a duty to allow complaining citizens or groups a forum for their concerns. As much as possible, the EAC follows a procedure that allows any person to step forward and voice their complaints or concerns. The process, established by Chapter 12A, balances a minimum of legal procedures with a fair amount of due process for all concerned. In addition, the City Secretary's office has trained and highly qualified staff willing to assist the public.

It is our hope that this website will introduce the Committee and its functions to the public.

Scope:

The EAC has jurisdiction over violations of City Code Chapter 12A that are filed with the EAC.
The City Auditor's Fraud Hotline is for waste and fraud complaints.
The Elections Manager in the City Secretary's Office handles many election and candidate related issues.
Some election and candidate issues are handled by the Texas Secretary of State

Authority: City Code, Section 12A-24

Members: 7 members appointed by the full City Council

Qualifications:

Each member shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8 of the City Code, except as specially provided otherwise in this article. Additionally, no member of the commission may be: (1) a city official or the spouse or domestic partner of a city official; (2) a city employee or the spouse or domestic partner of a city employee; (3) an elected public official; (4) a candidate for elected public office; (5) a person who, for compensation, represents the private interests of others before the city council; or (6) a paid campaign worker or a political consultant of a current city council member.

The City Council shall appoint and reappoint members to the ethics advisory commission in a manner that will provide the commission with a mix of both existing members and new members.

Officers: Mayor appoints the chair; full City Council appoints the vice-chair

Staff support: CITY SECRETARY 214-670-3738
Deborah Watkins, City Secretary 214-670-0653
Daniel Soliz, Manager of Boards and Commissions 214-671-8970
Sandra DuBose, Ethics Advisory Commission Coordinator 214-670-3741

Mission:

(1) To establish, amend, and rescind rules and procedures governing its own internal organization and operations in a manner and form consistent with this article.
(2) To meet as often as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
(3) To request from the city manager through the city council the appointment of such staff as is necessary to carry out the duties of the commission.
(4) To review, index, maintain on file, and dispose of sworn complaints.
(5) To make findings of fact as necessary for the disposition of a complaint.
(6) To make notifications, extend deadlines, and conduct investigations.
(7) Such other powers as are specifically granted in this chapter.

Meetings:

The commission meets monthly on the third Friday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Meetings usually last two hours. The commission may adjust monthly meetings to accommodate scheduled panel and commission hearings. Based upon hearing schedule, a member may expect to devote about four hours a month to commission service.