El Paso Municipal Blockchain Records Policy

Technology and Data Texas 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 07, 2026 Flag of Texas

This guide explains how the City of El Paso, Texas approaches the use of blockchain or distributed ledger technologies for municipal records, the responsible offices, and practical steps for proposals, retention, and compliance. It summarizes official city sources on records management and the municipal code, explains enforcement pathways, and lists actions that departments and vendors must follow before using blockchain for public records.

Scope & Purpose

This policy summary covers: permitted uses of blockchain for storing or notarizing municipal records, required approvals, retention and admissibility considerations, and how to submit proposals or requests. The City Clerk maintains official records custody and retention policy, and Information Technology Services manages production systems and integrations. Changes to recordkeeping practice require coordination with both offices and may require council or administrative approval depending on legal effect and procurement rules.[1]

Key Requirements

  • All blockchain-based recordkeeping proposals must document chain-of-custody, immutability claims, and retention schedules aligned with the Citys records retention schedule.
  • Records stored or referenced via blockchain must remain accessible and reproducible in human-readable form for public inspection and legal processes.
  • Technical integrations require approval from Information Technology Services and review for security, interoperability, and backup procedures.
  • Procurement, vendor contracting, and any fees associated with third-party blockchain services must follow City procurement rules.
Coordinate proposals with the City Clerk and ITS early to avoid procurement or records-retention conflicts.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of records practices falls primarily to the City Clerk for records custody and retention compliance and to departmental heads and Information Technology Services for operational control. Where failure to follow required procedures constitutes a violation of city rules or state law, enforcement may include administrative orders, corrective directives, and referral to legal counsel for further action.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, corrective orders and remediation; repeat or continuing noncompliance may lead to administrative sanctions or legal action - specific escalation steps not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to restore or reproduce official records, suspension of access to systems, procurement or contracting restrictions, and court enforcement where applicable.
  • Enforcers and complaint pathways: City Clerk, Information Technology Services, and the City Attorneys office handle oversight; to report concerns contact the City Clerk records office via the official contact page listed in Resources below.
  • Appeals and review: administrative review or appeal to the appropriate city administrative body or court; exact time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
If unsure whether a blockchain process meets legal retention or public access needs, submit a written proposal and request a formal review.

Applications & Forms

The City does not publish a dedicated "blockchain records" application form on the cited pages. Proposed projects should follow existing records modification, systems change, and procurement processes: coordinate with the City Clerk for records retention and with ITS for technical review. Specific form names, numbers, fees, and deadlines for blockchain projects are not specified on the cited pages.[1]

Action Steps for Departments or Vendors

  • Contact the City Clerk to confirm retention, custody, and public inspection requirements before any pilot.
  • Submit a technical design and security assessment to Information Technology Services for review.
  • Follow procurement rules for contracting third-party blockchain providers and attach records-retention commitments to contracts.
  • Provide reproducible, human-readable copies of records and an export process to ensure access if the blockchain provider ceases service.
Always include a records-retention schedule and a rollback/export plan in any blockchain proposal.

FAQ

Can the City of El Paso use blockchain to store official municipal records?
The City may consider blockchain solutions, but any use must comply with the City Clerks records management requirements and ITS review; specific authorization steps are not detailed on the cited page.[1]
Who approves or enforces blockchain use for records?
The City Clerk oversees records custody and retention; Information Technology Services oversees technical approval; legal review may involve the City Attorney.
Are there published fines for improper blockchain recordkeeping?
Monetary fines or specified penalties for blockchain-specific violations are not specified on the cited pages.

How-To

  1. Contact the City Clerk to request guidance and provide a summary of the records and proposed blockchain function.
  2. Prepare a technical and security design and submit it to Information Technology Services for risk assessment and interoperability review.
  3. Coordinate procurement and contract language with the Purchasing Office and the City Attorney to ensure retention, access, and continuity obligations are contractually enforced.
  4. Run a pilot with clear acceptance criteria, export/rollback plans, and documented public-access methods before designating any blockchain-stored data as an official record.

Key Takeaways

  • Early coordination with the City Clerk and ITS is essential for any blockchain project.
  • Proposals must include retention schedules and export/rollback provisions to protect public access.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of El Paso  City Clerk  Records and Records Management
  2. [2] El Paso Code of Ordinances

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