DEPARTMENT: City Auditor’s Office and City Attorney’s Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kevin Barthold, City Auditor, and Andy Segovia, City Attorney
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the CCR regarding Ethics
SUMMARY:
A Council Consideration Request was filed by Councilmember Roberto C. Treviño and Councilmember Adriana Rocha Garcia on December 6, 2019 seeking changes to the Ethics Review Board and the Compliance Auditor.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The CCR seeks to change composition, appointment, and authority in the following general manners:
1. The selection and appointment of the City’s Compliance Auditor by the Ethics Review Board only.
2. Outside third party nomination of Ethics Review Board candidates for consideration and appointment by the City Council, rather than current application and selection process.
3. Ethics training and education to be conducted solely by the Compliance Auditor, with help from other City employees and the City Attorney’s Office as determined by the Compliance Auditor.
4. The staffing and budgeting of support staff and legal counsel for the Compliance Auditor.
5. Setting and maintaining annual budget for an Ethics Office.
ISSUE:
The City Charter would have to be amended to change the composition, appointment, and authority of the Ethics Review Board along with subsequent changes to the City’s Ethics Code. The Ethics Code would also need to be amended for any changes to the Compliance Auditor position.
ALTERNATIVES:
Staff will present a briefing on this item subject to possible action by the Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff will present a briefing on this item subject to possible action by the Committee.