[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6518862,"mediaKeyId","5385563-613c82e05d5d2e0da3db1ce2b922801f","parentId",5385563,"title","Denton Board of Ethics approves regular meeting minutes, postpones other minutes and skips August meeting","audioSeconds",234,"startMs",20000,"endMs",254000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385563-613c82e05d5d2e0da3db1ce2b922801f&start=20&end=254","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385563-613c82e05d5d2e0da3db1ce2b922801f/thumbnail_20000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518862/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Denton-Board-of-Ethics-approves-regular-meeting-minutes-postpones-other-minutes-and-skips-August-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518862-7c9b09327e162bbda019c141df9797fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770427633&Signature=bZv07PY~yd3bpUsGzOM0g1eqNja1gUxd7XDKxz5MrDv264m0QvPgtYQKyZ0Oy9J6yODm~6UwHu3-NUKCHKiyT73u~sQ5umUI6p-akjmZBrKUG6n3rbs454YymFfOvc8~bcAl33Qw0m~AoRjEjBYZ8FDllMhP9BoK-ZZe378bSNOgOovVd1tsMZEjPzKv8l4p9KB~BmFmGRaBfXyzmevYnVUlGXPOGTrKKxexCU2OUqIMtALiI-vfih-CyIVwewZObEJH9LutjIXCkIubL0X4uQbbBrzKlaVDHmgLWY4Be~8DUR7ekkA4kH-Bh6isKRQkj3ac8dyLMC8AUvJf~AAJGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Denton","date","2025-07-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Denton Board of Ethics unanimously approved its regular meeting minutes (Exhibit 2) at the July 14 meeting and postponed consideration of a separate set of draft minutes (Exhibit 1) after a member said she had a potential conflict related to prior service on the Housing Authority.

At the start of the meeting a member asked that Exhibit 1 (a draft advisory opinion/minutes) be postponed because she had previously been appointed by the mayor to a related body and did not feel comfortable voting on that item; the board postponed that vote until the next meeting to avoid losing quorum and to allow the member to seek guidance. Later the board took a separate motion and vote to approve the regular meeting minutes unanimously; a board member identified in the record as Patricia seconded the motion.

The board also discussed its upcoming schedule and decided to skip its August meeting; members directed staff to schedule the next meeting for September and to make sure members are notified.

The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Denton - Board of Ethics on 2025-07-14 5:30 PM - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board unanimously approved the regular meeting minutes (Exhibit 2), postponed approval of another set of minutes (Exhibit 1) because a member noted a conflict and quorum concerns, and agreed not to meet in August; next meeting scheduled for September.","taxTitle","Denton City, Denton County, Texas","taxId",2787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518866,"Denton Board of Ethics finds complaint processing averages about 30 days; no timetable changes for now",599,2367000,2966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385563-613c82e05d5d2e0da3db1ce2b922801f&start=2367&end=2966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385563-613c82e05d5d2e0da3db1ce2b922801f/thumbnail_2367000.jpg","/articles/6518866/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Denton-Board-of-Ethics-finds-complaint-processing-averages-about-30-days-no-timetable-changes-for-now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518866-d0a64e57e88ba1ab9f3e0cbb6fbe5931/orig.mp4?Expires=1770427633&Signature=EQuarKOyY9kopmGKufWejc9wsLavqWFb9v2J9goorDGt-zmqwLHLAxMXPTj~xEVNXCU~sh5VkIxHea1LN7y19-ZpCdw0KI9tNSfYb9YpPvwBefaconYSVmAYirs~nVkY5QtH1RvbqT9Dfa-50cBCrVpqLRowBWXfQJFUZ2jV3Xb4etDIzz0Y0QQW8838IfG1bqauJ6KB0P4w~XXbj-LAIMaTDCuOB1ek32gVB5-sbRs9w5dWitGwx6PA9QW6OFMsERdpsCGq3ND9HI98ip3NJEyRYNmVjWafvbxc95zyJzfIZQlhZDWsJ0i2ScUetkfZTpHt4fJP0w9yKS54aoLMqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Denton Board of Ethics reviewed administrative timelines for handling submitted ethics complaints and heard staff say the average processing time has been about 30 calendar days.

Staff reported that since Oct. 1, 2020, eight ethics complaints were received; four were considered administratively abandoned for missing corrections, and four were accepted as administratively complete. Of those accepted, three moved to a hearing. The average elapsed time from intake through resolution in practice has been a little more than 30 days; the ordinance allows a longer maximum timeline that includes administrative corrections and posting windows.

Staff outlined the ordinance timelines: up to 14 calendar days for initial administrative review, 21 calendar days for a preliminary panel/assessment, and 30 calendar days to schedule an evidentiary hearing — with the total maximum varying if corrections and re-submissions occur. In practice staff said initial completeness checks typically take two calendar days, panel assessments usually occur within about 10 days, and hearings are scheduled within about 21 days.

Board members said the constraint on scheduling is chiefly the availability of panel members and vacancies on the board rather than staff processing time. One member noted a legislative change extending public-posting timelines could lengthen processing times in the future.

The board did not vote to change the timelines and directed staff to continue current practices while emphasizing the need for council appointments to fill board vacancies to reduce scheduling delays.

Next steps: board asked staff to monitor impacts of any state or municipal posting-law changes and to report back if average processing times rise.","Staff told the board that, since Oct. 1, 2020, eight complaints were filed (four accepted), the typical processing time has been roughly 30 days, and members agreed existing timelines are working though vacancies slow scheduling.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518872,"Denton Board of Ethics backs 1-year ban for people who file frivolous complaints, declines board power to impose attorney fees",1988,270000,2258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385563-613c82e05d5d2e0da3db1ce2b922801f&start=270&end=2258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385563-613c82e05d5d2e0da3db1ce2b922801f/thumbnail_270000.jpg","/articles/6518872/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Denton-Board-of-Ethics-backs-1-year-ban-for-people-who-file-frivolous-complaints-declines-board-power-to-impose-attorney-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518872-585a2196e8d2f31a52cda300f8f5e890/orig.mp4?Expires=1770427633&Signature=FH906z35DyR~-4aWnDPt7a9xGR19YhEUiQIA1iuGUUIiq5rEdqmz2vqppWgtJ9xP4zptZx6HaLssMWtJq7S~vJboFJ1AVyMvJhgftid3abLQvK5cSgNn0V9HHs8bxSlnsaXPhmDoW-TifZp80ig9rFprgwtbLl2u5ouz67idD4vcSysp6Z5yN651ft2l3tM4ABhT3YnV29DJ6S-DOoa~PHnpVRUccV51bd6xlTRQ2nlFTyZPfqjj8EAreAicLAOKjaz5WvPjoh9ucHRJRsL4mchGMa~uZ127Bqei66ye-p-ZkqDlpe4x1jAfTH8yxcYbhjM3h4YF9~8RZIKabuY-SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Denton Board of Ethics on Monday directed staff to draft an ordinance change that would bar people found to have filed frivolous ethics complaints from filing another complaint for one year, and to take that draft to outside counsel for review.

The change arose from a review of past cases and a concern that frivolous complaints — particularly those filed during election seasons — impose reputational harm on respondents and incur city costs. The board discussed two sanction options: a one-year bar on filing new complaints and a mechanism for recovering attorney fees paid by a respondent. Board members agreed to pursue the one-year bar and not to equip the board itself with authority to impose attorney-fee recovery.

Why it matters: board members said frivolous complaints have been used as a campaign tactic and can exhaust staff time and city resources. Staff described a path by which a respondent could pursue attorney fees in civil court, but said the board does not currently have authority to collect money directly.

Staff member (Ethics staff) summarized the legal constraint: \"Our understanding at this time is that we'd have to create, essentially, a civil cause of action, so that the respondent could go to court and sue the complainant based on your determination for those fees.\" The staffer said any language that would enable fee recovery would require additional legal steps beyond the ethics ordinance.

Board members recounted a recent election-cycle case they said had been ruled frivolous and then publicized. One board member said the change is intended to discourage bad actors who file meritless complaints to harm opponents' campaigns. Another member urged a broader matrix of sanctions: \"If we're gonna have power, then we have to be able to hold them accountable,\" the member said, adding that the board should develop a clear set of minimum and maximum sanctions so application is more objective.

Several members said they were uncomfortable with the board itself imposing and collecting monetary fees on complainants. The board coalesced around a two-step approach discussed by members: (1) adopt the one-year ban as an administrative sanction and (2) allow respondents to pursue attorney-fee recovery through civil processes or have the city consider whether to invoice complainants for city-incurred costs. The board asked staff to consult outside counsel about drafting the ordinance language and to present the language and legal options at a future meeting.

The board also directed staff to return with an item for council consideration about whether the city — not the Board of Ethics — should be empowered to seek reimbursement for attorney or administrative costs incurred when complaints are found frivolous.

Next steps: staff will draft proposed ordinance language reflecting the one-year filing ban, consult outside counsel on legality and drafting, and place the drafts on a future agenda for Board and then City Council consideration.","The Board of Ethics directed staff to draft ordinance language that would bar anyone found to have filed a frivolous ethics complaint from filing another complaint for one year and to consult outside counsel; board members said the board itself should not be given power to levy or collect attorney fees against complainants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Denton Board of Ethics approves regular meeting minutes, postpones other minutes and skips August meeting

Denton Board of Ethics finds complaint processing averages about 30 days; no timetable changes for now

Denton Board of Ethics backs 1-year ban for people who file frivolous complaints, declines board power to impose attorney fees