Policy and purpose.
El Paso City Code § 2.92.010
in effect2.92.010 - Policy and purpose.
A. All city officers and employees have a fiduciary duty to the citizens of the city to be ethical in fulfilling the responsibilities of their positions. At the very least, being ethical includes being disposed to comply with all laws that apply to one's position.
B. Ethical conduct is motivated by sources inside and outside the law. The Texas Local Government, Election and Penal Codes regulate aspects of the conduct of city officers and employees. However, as ethical conduct is more than complying with state codes, the city strongly encourages all of its officers and employees to maintain the highest personal values and standards. While it is impossible to establish specific and exhaustive standards for all situations, the standards established in this chapter are minimum standards below which no city officer or employee's conduct should fall. This chapter has the following purposes:
1. To establish an ethics review commission;
2. To maintain and improve standards of public service;
3. To improve public confidence in the integrity of city government;
4. To provide a process by which officers and employees may identify and resolve ethical issues;
5. To avoid conflicts between the personal interest and the public responsibilities of city officers and employees;
6. To establish minimum standards of conduct to be adhered to by city officers and employees;
7. To require disclosure of private financial interests by certain individuals;
8. To require reporting of certain gifts received by certain individuals;
9. To provide for complaints and resolution of ethical issues and concerns; and
10. To provide penalties for failure to adhere to the minimum standards set forth in this chapter.
C. This chapter is cumulative of and supplemental to all applicable provisions of the City Charter, other city ordinances, and state and federal laws and regulations. Compliance with this chapter does not excuse or relieve any person from any obligation imposed by the City Charter, other city ordinances, or state or federal laws or regulations. The filing of an ethics complaint pursuant to this chapter does not prohibit a person from availing themselves of the various remedies available to them under state or federal laws.
D. To ensure and enhance public confidence in the city government, each city official and employee must not only adhere to the principles of ethical conduct set forth in this Code and compliance therewith, but they must scrupulously avoid the appearance of impropriety at all times. This section shall not be used for the basis of an ethical complaint.
(Ord. No. 19139, § 1, 2-16-2021)
Source: City of El Paso, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/el_paso/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.92ET_ARTICOET_2.92.010POPUFetched: 10/28/2026