Fort Worth Official Ethics Disclosure Rules

General Governance and Administration Texas 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of Texas

Fort Worth, Texas requires municipal officers and certain appointees to follow local and state ethics and financial-disclosure rules. This guide explains who typically must file, filing schedules, enforcement pathways, and practical steps to comply with Fort Worth disclosure obligations. Where the city links to specific forms or procedures, those sources are cited for direct reference.

Who must file and basic duties

Individual filing obligations commonly apply to elected officials, appointed board and commission members, and certain city employees designated by ordinance or policy. The City Secretary manages filings and lists board and commission requirements on the official City of Fort Worth website[1]. If an office is subject to filing, the filer must submit accurate financial-interest information according to the schedule set by the city or state law.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties, enforcement authorities, and remedies for failure to file or for filing false disclosures are determined by the controlling ordinance or state law and by the enforcing office identified by the city.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page[1].
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing-offence ranges are not specified on the cited page[1].
  • Non-monetary sanctions: the cited city page does not list specific non-monetary sanctions such as suspension or removal; see enforcing department for authority and procedures[1].
  • Enforcer and complaints: the City Secretary is the filing office; enforcement action is generally handled by the City Attorney or other designated office, with complaint and contact pathways on official pages[1].
  • Appeals and review: the cited page does not specify appeal time limits or exact review routes; refer to the controlling ordinance or contact the City Secretary for appeal deadlines and procedures[1].
If a specific fine or appeal deadline is required for your situation, request the controlling ordinance or written guidance from the City Secretary.

Applications & Forms

The City Secretary maintains information for boards, commissions, and filing requirements; the specific form name, form number, fee (if any), submission method, and deadline are not listed in detail on the cited page and must be confirmed with that office[1].

Contact the City Secretary early to confirm which form and deadline apply to your office.

How disclosure is typically processed

After submission, the City Secretary or designated filing office logs the disclosure and makes required portions available as public records according to city policy and state law. If a disclosure appears incomplete or inaccurate, the city may notify the filer to amend the filing or may refer the matter to the City Attorney for enforcement.

Common violations

  • Failure to file by the deadline.
  • Submitting an incomplete or materially inaccurate statement.
  • Undisclosed conflicts between official duties and private financial interests.

FAQ

Who exactly files a financial-disclosure statement in Fort Worth?
The City Secretary page indicates elected officials and certain appointed members of boards and commissions are subject to filing; specific offices subject to filing are listed by the City Secretary and vary by ordinance or appointment status[1].
What happens if I miss a filing deadline?
The cited city page does not list exact penalties, so you must contact the City Secretary or City Attorney for enforcement details and any cure or appeal process[1].

How-To

  1. Identify whether your position is listed by the City Secretary as requiring a disclosure.
  2. Obtain the correct disclosure form or instructions from the City Secretary's office.
  3. Complete the form accurately, attach required schedules or schedules of interests, and sign the declaration.
  4. Submit by the stated deadline via the method the City Secretary specifies (mail, in-person, or electronic submission if available).
  5. Retain a copy of the filed statement and any receipt or confirmation for your records.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm filing obligations early with the City Secretary.
  • Meet the stated deadlines to avoid enforcement risk.
  • When in doubt, request written guidance from the filing office.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Fort Worth 00City Secretary - Boards & Commissions

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