Ethics Review Commission

Ethics Complaints

THE ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION’S JURISDICTION
The Ethics Review Commission has the jurisdiction over ethics complaints involving city officials as described in the Code of Ethics, which is found in Article 2.06 of the City of Murphy’s Code of Ordinances. All ethics complaints against a city employee who is not a city official as defined in Section 2.06.001 must be filed in the manner prescribed in Chapter 7 of the city’s personnel policies and procedures manual.
(Reference: City of Murphy Code of Ordinances Sec. 2.06.013)

FILING A COMPLAINT
Any city official, city employee or qualified voter of the city who believes there has been a violation of the Code of Ethics may file a sworn complaint. A complaint must be filed within 6 months from the date of the alleged violation. Click here for the complaint form. The complaint must be in writing, filed on the form approved by the city, under oath and must include:
  (A) the name of the complainant;
  (B) the street or mailing address and contact telephone number of the complainant;
  (C) the name of each person who allegedly committed the violation;
  (D) the position or title of each person who allegedly committed the violation;
  (E) the nature of the alleged violation. If possible, state the specific rule or provision of law alleged to have been violated;
  (F) a statement of facts describing the alleged violation and the dates on which or period of time during which the alleged violation(s) occurred, and must contain the following:
    (i) documents or other material available to the complainant that are relevant to the allegation;
    (ii) list of all documents or other material relevant to the allegation and available to the complainant, but that are not in possession of the complainant, including location of the documents, if known; and
    (iii) list of all documents or other materials relevant to the allegation, but unavailable to the complainant, including the location of the documents, if known; and
  (G) an affidavit stating that the information contained in the complaint is either true and correct or that the complainant has good reason to believe and does believe that the facts alleged constitute a violation of the Article 2.06. Code of Ethics.
(Reference: City of Murphy Code of Ordinances Sec. 2.06.014(a))
The sworn ethics complaint must be filed with the City Secretary, Murphy City Hall, 206 North Murphy Road, Murphy, Texas 75094.
(Reference: City of Murphy Code of Ordinances Sec. 2.06.014)

REVIEW OF COMPLAINT
The City Secretary shall forward a copy of the complaint to the City Attorney and the person charged in the complaint. Within 14 days of receipt of the complaint, a sworn response must be filed with the city secretary by the person alleged to have violated the Code of Ethics.
(Reference: City of Murphy Code of Ordinances Sec. 2.06.014(c))
The City Attorney shall receive all sworn complaints and, if found sufficient, shall provide a copy with a preliminary review of the complaint to the Ethics Review Commission for action. The City Attorney and the Ethics Review Commission shall act in accordance with Sections 2.06.015 and 2.06.016 depending on the complaint alleged, the city attorney’s recommendation and whether a preliminary hearing and final hearing are conducted. If the Commission determines that a violation has occurred, it will next consider whether sanctions should be imposed in accordance with Section 2.06.017.
(Reference: City of Murphy Code of Ordinances Sec. 2.06.015-.017)

MORE INFORMATION AND SOURCES
For more information about complaints, hearings, sanctions or other issues related to complaints, please review the City of Murphy’s Code of Ethics, Article 2.06 of the Code of Ordinances. You may also contact the City Secretary or City Attorney if you have questions or need additional information.