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ADOPTED | BUDGET

Legal

Top Goals and Objectives

Goal 1
Create a Code Docket in Municipal Court: Create of a Code Docket in Municipal Court specifically
dedicated to achieving code compliance, which the City Council has identified as its main goal for the two
most recent City Council Retreats.

Objective City Council to adopt an ordinance that authorizes the municipal court judge to hear cases
involving zoning violations, substandard buildings, and nuisance abatement cases, and that
outlines a procedure for handling the cases in the Court.
Objective Eliminate the need for the City to pay separate filing fees and court costs for filing these
cases in County court, and provide a more efficient and expeditious process to address
zoning and nuisance violations that are not handled by criminal citation and/or through the
Substandard Building Board.
Objective Expand penalty options for the civil cases to include injunctive relief, contempt, fines, and
potential incarceration (for the contempt charge), with fines for violations up to $1,000 per
day, per violation. Currently, the City Code of Ordinances only allows for $10 a day (if
residential homestead), per violation to be assessed, and can only be assessed by the
Substandard Building Board.

Goal 2
Review of City Charter and Select Provisions of the City Code of Ordinances: Conduct a thorough review
and make recommendations for changes to the City Charter and select provisions of the City Code of
Ordinances to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations. Goals & Measures

Objective Work closely with the Charter Review Committee to review all Charter provisions to
determine if the provision as written supports current city operations or requires
modifications.
Objective Work with relevant City staff members to review applicable state and federal laws for
changes and make recommendations for changes to the Charter and certain provisions of
the City Code of Ordinances to ensure consistency with federal, state and local laws, and
current city practices.

Goal 3
Roll Call Training for Public Safety Employees: Work with the Public Safety leadership to implement and
establish regular roll call training for front line public safety employees to ensure effective and efficient
application of legal processes and procedures

Objective Provide regular training for public safety employees on legal aspects of criminal
enforcement, mitigation of risk, and reduction of liability.

222 NRH | TEXAS