RES 2001-07TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB TEXAS
RESOLUTION NO. 2001-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB,
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 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature is currently considering the passage of 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; and
WHEREAS, the requirements contained in House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339 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 Trophy Club; 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 that a
"presumption of corruption" exists throughout local governments in the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Trophy Club 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 TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN
OF TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS:
1
Section 1 That the above findings are hereby considered to be true and correct and
are incorporated herein in their entirety.
Section 2. That the Town Council of the Town of Trophy Club hereby finds that the
passage of House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339 would be detrimental to obtaining qualified persons
to volunteer to serve as elected city officials and to retaining qualified individuals to serve as city
managers and city attorneys.
Section 3. That the Town Council of the Town of Trophy Club strongly opposes
House Bill 64 and Senate Bill 339.
Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect upon the date of its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Town Council of the Town of Trophy Club, Texas
on the 19`x' day of March, 2001.
P {s
A
Z
G
ATTEST:
I
gulp
Diane Cockrell, T6wn Secretary
[Seal]
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Town Attorney
Town of Trophy Club, Texas
Marshall Engelbeek, Ma or
2