Note: Included opinions are from October 1, 2023, through October 31, 2023.
KP-446 (Hotel Occupancy Tax): Local Government Code chapter 306 authorizes certain municipalities to create a park board and gives such boards certain powers and responsibilities. While a home-rule municipality has the full power of self-government, it may not impose measures on a park board that conflict with state law.
Because the Legislature has not spoken to the issue of removal in chapter 306, a court would likely find the chapter does not preempt a municipal ordinance removing a park or facility from the park board’s management and control.
Tax Code section 351.105 allows eligible coastal municipalities to contract for a park board to use a portion of the hotel occupancy tax for certain statutory purposes without further authorization beyond the contract. The extent to which a municipality may exercise control over the use of hotel occupancy tax funds allocated under section 351.105 will be determined by the provisions of the contract required by subsection 351.105(f)(1).
KP-449 (Nepotism): A commissioners court has implied authority to employ persons necessary to carry out county business. A commissioners court may, through official action, delegate to the county judge its implied authority to employ persons.
A court would likely conclude that a county judge who is delegated the commissioners court’s implied authority to employ persons is prohibited by the anti-nepotism provision in Government Code section 573.041 from appointing the spouse of a county commissioner to a paid county position.
Pursuant to Government Code section 573.083, a public official who makes, confirms, or votes for an appointment or confirmation of an ineligible individual or who approves an account or authorizes the drawing of a warrant or order to pay the individual’s salary potentially commits a misdemeanor involving official misconduct.