2025-19 O - Amending Chapter 1, Article 1.4 Boards, Commissions & Committees - Code of ConductTOWN OF PROSPER, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-19
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF PROSPER, TEXAS, AMENDING
ARTICLE 1.04, "BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES," OF
CHAPTER 1, "GENERAL PROVISIONS," OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
OF THE TOWN OF PROSPER, TEXAS, BY ADDING A NEW SECTION
1.04.003, "CODE OF CONDUCT FOR TOWN BOARD, COMMISSION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS"; PROVIDING FOR REPEALING, SAVINGS AND
SEVERABILITY CLAUSES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Town of Prosper, Texas ("Town"), previously has adopted a Code of
Ethics for board, commission and committee members, among others; and
WHEREAS, the Code of Ethics generally requires that all public officials, officers and
employees of the Town, and all members of Town -appointed boards, commissions and
committees, be independent, impartial and responsible only to the people of the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Code of Ethics generally provides that no Town officer, official or
employee, including all members of boards, commissions and committees, should have any
interest, direct or indirect, nor engage in any business transaction or professional activity, nor
incur any obligation of any nature, which is in conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties
in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council believes that a Code of Conduct is appropriate for all
members of Town boards, commissions and committees, however, so as to provide clear
guidance to such members about conduct that is appropriate for the office(s) they hold; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has further determined that a Code of Conduct is in the
best interests of the Town and the members of Town boards, commissions and committees.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
PROSPER, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1
The findings set forth above are incorporated into the body of this Ordinance as if fully set
forth herein.
SECTION 2
Article 1.04, "Boards, Commissions and Committees," of Chapter 1, "General Provisions,"
of the Prosper Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by adding a new Section 1.04.003, "Code
of Conduct for Town Board, Commission and Committee Members," to read as follows:
"ARTICLE 1.04 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
Sec. 1.04.003 Code of Conduct for Town Board, Commission and Committee
Members.
(a) Purpose.
(1) This Code of Conduct establishes expectations of behavior for the appointed
officials who represent the Town of Prosper on the Town's various Boards,
Commissions and Committees, whether permanent or ad hoc. Town of Prosper
Board, Commission and Committee Members ("Members") are expected to
conduct themselves with appropriate decorum at all times. As leaders in the
community, Members are held to a high standard of behavior and conduct and
must be mindful that, as Town officials, the distinction between public and private
behavior may not be readily apparent, nor easily distinguishable, by the public.
Members shall endeavor to ensure that their behavior, whether in person or online,
does not reflect negatively on the Town.
(2) Members should be mindful that Town residents and members of the public
represent a wide range of experiences, opinions, backgrounds and world views.
Members' public comments, in any forum, including personal and professional
social media accounts, that contain racial slurs, profane language or acronyms for
profane language, express bigotry toward a group based on race, religion, national
origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or any other legally protected
classification may be considered conduct unbecoming a Member, and could result
in the removal of a Member.
(b) Conduct of Members. All Members:
(1) shall treat Town residents, Town staff, members of the public, and one another
with dignity and respect at all times;
(2) shall not engage in any form of abuse, harassment, discrimination, intimidation,
the use of indecent or insulting words or expressions toward another Member, staff
member or member of the public; and
(3) may be subject to removal if they violate any federal or state law or Town
ordinance.
(c) Social Media Guidelines.
(1) Once posted on social media, content, comments and images may be accessible
to anyone, and that content may never be completely removed. As public figures
and representatives of the Town, Members should act with discretion and be
judicious regarding the material they choose to post on social media. As with any
other form of communication, Members are accountable for the content they post
on social media and are expected to exercise good judgment.
(2) When posting or interacting on any social media platform, Members-
(i) shall not use a Town email address for personal social media accounts;
(ii) shall not post images, files or texts depicting Town property, equipment,
apparel or personnel in any manner that would adversely affect the
reputation of the Town, a Town employee or department;
Ordinance No. 2025-19, Page 2
(iii) shall not, on any platform or outlet, make or publish insulting or offensive
comments or use derogatory speech regarding a race, religion, national
origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or any other legally
protected classification;
(iv) are prohibited from the disclosure of confidential information or information
that could breach the security of the Town in any way;
(v) may not attribute personal statements or opinions to the Town when
engaging in personal postings on social media sites;
(vi) are prohibited from posting anything that promotes, depicts or contains
illegal activity of any kind;
(vii) are discouraged from posting pictures of themselves or others wearing
Town uniforms or Town logos, unless they are posted on the Town's official
social media platforms as part of their duties as a Member or shared from
a Town social media platform.
(d) In the event of any conflict between this Section and the Town's Code of Ethics, as
amended, the Town's Code of Ethics shall control.
Secs.1.40.004-1.04.030 Reserved"
SECTION 3
All provisions of any ordinance in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the
extent they are in conflict. Any remaining portion of conflicting ordinances shall remain in full force
and effect.
SECTION 4
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason,
held to be unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The Town of Prosper hereby
declares that it would have passed this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, clause or phrase
thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses,
and phrases be declared unconstitutional.
SECTION 5
This Ordinance shall become effective after its passage.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
PROSPER, TEXAS, ON THIS 27TH DAY OF MAY, 2025.
Ordinance No. 2025-19, Page 3
APPROVED:
David F. Bristol, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Michelle Lewis Sirianni, Town Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Terrence S. Welch, Town Attorney
Ordinance No. 2025-19, Page 4