Bunker Hill Village Council adopts investment and ethics policies, OKs election services and routine measures

The Bunker Hill Village City Council on Nov. 18 approved several routine governance measures intended to update financial controls and prepare for the May 2026 municipal election.

Council unanimously adopted an updated Public Funds Investment Policy and a Code of Ethics for elected and appointed officials. City Administrator Gerardo Barrera said the Investment Policy satisfies the annual review required by Texas Government Code Section 2256.005(e). The Finance Committee (Mayor Keith Brown, Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Schwartz and City Administrator Barrera) recommended minor edits after meeting Oct. 13. Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Schwartz moved to adopt the investment policy; Councilmember Eric Thode seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.

Barrera told the Council the City’s auditors require a formal ethics policy as part of their internal controls. Councilmember Andrew Poor moved to adopt the Code of Ethics; Councilmember Eric Thode seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

The Council also approved a contract with Spring Branch Independent School District to provide municipal election services for the May 2, 2026 general election. Under the agreement, the City will continue to handle candidate filing and related documentation at City Hall while SBISD will manage ballot preparation, early voting and Election Day operations; the expected cost to the City is $250.00. Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Schwartz made the motion and Councilmember Josh Pratt seconded; the motion carried 5-0.

Other approvals on the consent and action portions of the agenda included adoption of the City’s 2026 Calendar of Events (Presidents’ Day was added to the holiday calendar) and approval of a final plat for 5 Powderhorn after staff confirmed that, although the right-of-way had been vacated previously by Ordinance No. 22-592, the utility and drainage easement remained in force. The final plat had been recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and was approved on a motion by Councilmember Eric Thode, seconded by Councilmember Josh Pratt (motion carried 5-0).

Council also ratified four payments exceeding $50,000 for routine utility, treatment, insurance and construction invoices. The items ratified were a City of Houston water bill for $85,361.42, a Memorial Villages Water Authority wastewater invoice for $59,345.97, a Texas Municipal League risk-pool billing for $77,078.96, and a monthly pay application to Underground Construction Solutions for $95,958.00. A motion to ratify those payments passed 4-0 (one member had left the meeting prior to the vote).

Votes at a glance - Resolution No. 11-18-2025A (Public Funds Investment Policy): motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Schwartz; second Eric Thode; outcome: approved 5-0. - Resolution No. 11-18-2025B (Code of Ethics): motion by Councilmember Andrew Poor; second Eric Thode; outcome: approved 5-0. - Contract with Spring Branch ISD (municipal election services): motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Schwartz; second Josh Pratt; outcome: approved 5-0; expected cost $250.00. - 2026 Calendar of Events: motion by Councilmember Carl Moerer; second Andrew Poor; outcome: approved 5-0. - Final plat for 5 Powderhorn: motion by Eric Thode; second Josh Pratt; outcome: approved 5-0. - Ratification of payments > $50,000 (listed four invoices): motion by Josh Pratt; second Andrew Poor; outcome: approved 4-0.

What this means The investment policy update keeps the City compliant with state law and reflects the Finance Committee’s review. The new ethics policy satisfies a requirement raised by the City’s auditing firm and establishes formal guidance for elected officials and staff. Contracting with SBISD for election services allows the City to use the district’s election administration resources while retaining local control of filings.

Next steps The City will implement the updated investment policy and ethics code as adopted and proceed with the joint election agreement for the May 2, 2026 municipal election. The Council’s final vote to approve the consent agenda items and the listed motions concluded the meeting’s action items.