Board of Ethics

Meetings

• 9:15 a.m.
• Third Wednesday of the month, every other month
• Lakeway City Hall Council Chambers, 1102 Lohmans Crossing

Board of Ethics Members

• Alison Elliot, Chair
• Ron Cooper
• Coryell Duty
• John Holcroft
• Rod Kelley
• Marsha Kish
• Clay Strange

Code of Ethics

In 1998, the City Council enacted a Code of Ethics and established a Board of Ethics to manage its implementation. The Code of Ethics was not a response to ethical problems in the City of Lakeway. It was a response to a typical concern in any growing organization. The purpose in establishing controls and procedures is to assure expectations of ethical conduct are clearly understood and practiced. Under the guidance of the city attorney, the Board of Ethics approved a revision of the entire Code of Ethics, which was adopted by the City Council in August of 2013. The Code is reviewed and amended as necessary.

Code of Ethics Provisions

The Code of Ethics provides that it is unlawful and a violation of the Code to directly or indirectly knowingly give or provide gratuitous economic benefits, exceeding a total value of $ 50 per donor per calendar year, to any person elected, appointed, or employed to serve the City in any office or position. 

Individuals Subject to the Code of Ethics

Every person appointed, elected, employed (with the exception of seasonal employees) or contracted to serve the city in any office or position.

Individuals Affected by the Code of Ethics

• Anyone who is conducting or attempting to conduct business of any nature with the City.
• Anyone who stands to derive a material economic benefit, either directly or indirectly, from any transaction with the City.
• Anyone who has, or maintains a position adverse to the City in any legal or administrative proceedings.

Complaint for a Violation of the Code of Ethics

(a)     Complaints are allegations that an official, applicant, or vendor violated this code.

(b)     Complaints must be filed with the city secretary (see form below).

(c)     To be actionable, a complaint must:

(1)     Be in writing and contain the complainant's name, address, and phone number;

(2)     Be signed and sworn by the complainant and accompanied by a notarized affidavit in the form provided by the city secretary; and

(3)     Be filed within one (1) year of the conduct giving rise to the allegation. If evidence later became known that reasonably could not have been discovered within the one-year period, a complaint may be filed within one (1) year of the date such evidence reasonably could have been discovered.

(d)     Complaints satisfying the requirements of subsections (c)(1), (2), and (3) above shall be referred by the city secretary to the board chairperson, who shall either:

(1)     Recommend to the board that the complaint be dismissed on the grounds that the board previously addressed the conduct alleged in the complaint, determined it not to be a violation of this code, and previously issued an advisory opinion, waiver, or complaint determination; or

(2)     Appoint a subcommittee to issue a preliminary report regarding the complaint.

Penalties for Violating the Code of Ethics

For employees, penalties may include reprimand, suspension, forfeiture of position, and possibly a fine.

For individuals and businesses, penalties may include a fine and/or criminal charges. The Board of Ethics may also recommend to the City Council that such a person or business be barred from future dealings with the City, either permanently or for a specified period of time.

Reference

• Code of Ethics
• Ethics Complaint Form