BND adopts ethics code

BY EMMA PEREZ-TREVIO

The Brownsville Herald

March 5, 2005 An ethics code was approved this week by the Brownsville Navigation Districts board.

BND commissioners said they approved the measure Wednesday, with Commissioner Julius Collins casting the only dissenting vote.

Collins was unavailable for comment.

Excluding political campaign contributions, BND commissioners cannot accept anything worth more than $25 combined from anyone, including prospective and present contractors under the code, Chairman Peter M. Zavaletta said.

If the benefit has a fair market value of $26 or more, it becomes a prohibited benefit, Zavaletta told The Brownsville Herald on Friday.

It draws a line in the sand for contractors (and prospective contractors) of the district, and that is a first.

A violation of the code could result in a board reprimand to the offending commissioner.

If the donor is under contract with BND, the possible termination of the contract and exclusion from further business could be the result of the violation, the code reflects.

A review of the six-page code also shows that it does not apply to employees.

The idea of adopting an ethics code was discussed Jan. 11 at a workshop/public hearing, where residents asked commissioners to rid the BND of compadrismo or cronyism. They said commissioners should not have personal business dealings with BND, that the board should not accept political contributions from people who have business with BND, and that they should establish spending limits on meals and travel.

Many of those requests were included in the code, which Zavaletta calls a notable milestone in our efforts at rebuilding the bridge of trust.

While I would have preferred a tougher code, it does break new ground for us, the chairman said. Nothing was previously contained in the Brownsville Navigation Districts policy and procedure manual.

A majority of the codes provisions which address nepotism, conflict of interest and bribery already are contained in state statutes.

Zavaletta favored prohibiting campaign contributions from people who do business with the district or intend to, but said he did not have the board majoritys support on the issue.

Rather than vote for no code of ethics, something was better than nothing, Zavaletta said.

Past actions of commissioners that could be in conflict with the codes provisions are not affected.

The code states: It is the districts policy that district commissioners shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with sound business and ethical practices; that the public interest shall always be considered in conducting district business; that the appearance of impropriety shall be avoided to ensure and maintain public confidence in the district; and that the board shall control and manage the districts affairs fairly, impartially, and without discrimination, and according to the districts purpose.

eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com