17-1020-1119/643677
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE COMPLAINT FORM
I
NTRODUCTION
The Ethics Review Commission of the City of El Paso exists pursuant to Section 3.20 A of the El Paso City
Charter and Chapter 2.92.of the El Paso City Code (Ethics Ordinance). It was established for the purpose
of acting as an advisory body to the Mayor and City Council on matters concerning ethics in the government
of the City of El Paso. The Commission is authorized to investigate and act upon complaints filed against
City officers and City employees, as defined in the Ethics Ordinance. The Commission is composed of
nine citizens, one each appointed by the Mayor and each City Representative, who serve staggered two-
year terms. The meetings of the Commission are open to the Public.
PROCEDURE:
A. In
dividuals may file complaints with the Ethics Review Commission by submitting a complaint on the
Commission’s complaint form. The complaint must be sworn to upon oath and filed with the El Paso City
Clerk, first floor, City Hall, 300 N. Campbell Street, El Paso, TX 79901.
B. Each line of the form must be completed in order to provide the information required under
Section 2.92.080. The complaint must include the specific provision of the Ethics Ordinance that is
alleged to have been violated, as well as a statement of the facts constituting the alleged violation.
The Ethics Ordinance is available on the City’s website on the City Attorney’s webpage, at
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/city-attorney/ethics, or you may contact the Office of the City
Attorney, second floor, City Hall, to obtain a copy.
C
. The City Clerk’s Office reviews each complaint to ensure that it is properly notarized and is required to
reject any complaint that is not notarized. Once filed, the City Clerk’s Office forwards each complaint to
the City Attorney’s Office.
D
.
T
he City Attorney’s Office shall provide notice to the parties of all complaints that are filed, and within
20 days of the filing, refer complaints to the Ethics Review Commission, dismiss complaints that are
improperly filed, or request additional information from the complainant if the complaint is deficient and
as a result, the City Attorney’s Office cannot make a meaningful review of the complaint and determination
regarding the appropriate disposition of the complaint. If it is determined that the matter is outside of the
jurisdiction or authority of the Ethics Review Commission, no action can or will be taken by the
Commission regarding the complaint.
E. You will be notified in writing as to the action taken on your complaint and if the matter is referred to
the Ethics Review Commission or one of its panels. You and every person named of the complaint will be
advised of the date, time and location of every meeting of the Commission regarding the complaint. You
will be asked to attend these meetings and testify before the Commission during a public meeting, in
accordance with the procedures for hearing established in the Ethics Ordinance and by the chair of the
Commission
.