Aransas Pass amends personnel policy to allow civic participation, removes city‑paid fees clause

The council considered an ordinance to add Chapter 43 to the personnel policy addressing employee participation in civic organizations and whether the city could cover fees for such participation.

City staff described the policy as encouraging civic involvement while limiting conflicts during work hours: "City employees may serve on non‑city boards in their personal capacity, but if participation occurs during normal working hours, employees must use their accrued leave," staff explained. The draft allowed prior approval for fees when participation related to an employee’s job, but language in item J would have permitted the city to pay fees for some non‑city civic organizations.

Several council members questioned whether government funds should cover non‑job‑related memberships. One council member said they routinely pay for their own professional memberships and opposed city payment for non‑job organizations. The council moved to strike the clause allowing city payment of fees (item J); the amendment carried, then the council approved the ordinance as amended with the effective date of 05/18/2026.

The change establishes that employees may serve on non‑city boards but clarifies leave and resource rules, limits city resource use for non‑city activities, and removes the provision that might have authorized the city to pay membership fees for non‑job‑related civic groups.

Next steps: The ordinance is in effect and staff will implement procedures for prior approvals where required and for supervisors to manage leave use for civic participation during work hours.