Dallas City Council will consider solutions to ethics problems
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The Dallas City Council will be briefed today on proposed changes to the city’s code of ethics and the creation of the Office of the Inspector General.
Why it matters: Creating an Office of the Inspector General will streamline investigations into allegations of misconduct by elected officials and city employees.
- The goal is to increase transparency within the municipal government.
Context: Complaints are currently filed to the city secretary’s office, and the onus is on the person making the complaint to present the information before the Ethics Advisory Commission.
- This means that the complainant essentially acts as a prosecutor.
What’s happening: Under the new system, if it's approved by the council, the inspector general will investigate complaints. If evidence of a violation is found, the inspector general will either prosecute the case before the EAC or recommend a settlement.
- One of the key differences between the current system and the proposed model is the inspector general will have direct access to city records as opposed to a person having to file public records requests to back up their complaints.
- The inspector general would be hired by the city attorney.
Flashback: Real estate developer Ruel Hamilton was sentenced in November to eight years in federal prison for bribing two former Dallas City Council members.
What they’re saying: Council member Paula Blackmon said she hopes the ethics code changes and hiring an inspector general will prevent more of the corruption cases the city has become known for.
- "I just don’t want to see more ‘FBI investigates X at City Hall.’ I just don’t want to see that headline anymore," Blackmon told Axios. "We’re trying to restore integrity to our local government."
The intrigue: A key change is the creation of a “personal benefit” recusal instead of the current conflict of interest policy.
How to watch: You can watch the briefing online starting at 9am.