Mayor’s office proposes contract‑disclosure rules and conflict limits for board members

Steven David, deputy chief of staff to Mayor Whitmire, presented a package of proposed ordinance changes to the Ethics and Governance Committee aimed at tightening disclosure and conflict rules that apply to city contractors and appointed board members.

David described a planned codification of what it means to be a “board, committee, or commission member” under chapter 18 and proposed amending chapter 15 to bar city employees and appointed board members from bidding on or being awarded city contracts if they hold 1% or greater ownership in the bidder. Under the proposal, an owner who is awarded a contract would be removed from the board and barred from serving for two years.

David said the administration would consider a delayed implementation (a two‑year phase‑in or applying the rule at the start of the next appointment term) to allow current volunteer board members and departments time to adapt and to avoid immediate vacancies on boards that perform ongoing functions.

The proposal would also require all contractors and subcontractors to disclose names, business addresses and whether any principals are related to a city employee or elected official within one degree of consanguinity or affinity. That disclosure would be due to the city no later than 72 hours before a contract is put on a council agenda for action, David said; the stated goal is greater transparency about prime and subcontractor relationships.

David described a planned upgrade to the city’s campaign‑filing and related systems (a procurement that relies on a vendor used by other Texas jurisdictions) that would automate lobbyist registration, allow online financial‑disclosure filings, and make blackout/recusal lists easier to distribute to council offices.

Committee members raised questions about scope and enforcement. Council Member Julian Ramirez asked whether contractors and subcontractors would be required to disclose for all contracts (David said yes). Council Member Castillo and others asked about the ownership threshold and whether sub‑contracting arrangements or consultants would be captured; David and staff said the spirit of the draft is to capture those arrangements and they welcomed suggestions to clarify language.

Members suggested adjustments: Council Member Flickinger recommended extending disclosure for second‑degree relatives rather than limiting it to first degree; others recommended applying new board‑service restrictions when a member begins a new term. David and staff said they will collect feedback and return with draft ordinance language for formal consideration.

The committee asked administration staff to circulate the proposals to council offices and to continue the discussion at a future meeting; David said the administration plans to return with more detailed language and implementation timelines.