Conroe council declines appointed charter-review commission, adopts new ethics and financial-disclosure ordinance

CONROE, Texas — The Conroe City Council on Thursday voted against creating a council‑appointed charter review commission and approved an ordinance that establishes a code of ethics and new financial‑disclosure rules for elected officials, municipal judges and certain board appointees.

The council voted 4–1 to adopt the ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the city code; Mayor Pro Tem Wood voted no unless the city administration (city manager and executive staff) were added to the disclosure requirement. The proposed charter review commission — a five‑member panel with each council member selecting one appointee — failed for lack of a second when moved on the floor.

The ordinance requires broader disclosure by city council members, municipal judges, members of the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation and Conroe Local Government Corporation appointees and their spouses. City administration positions — the city administrator, deputy and department directors — were not included in the ordinance as adopted; the city attorney said the ordinance can be…