28 Oct Mission considers drug testing ordinance that would in practice be symbolic for elected officials

The Mission City Council is weighing an ordinance that would require drug testing, including random tests, for council members, the city attorney and the city manager, according to The Monitor. Members discussed the proposal Tuesday evening and will vote on it at their next meeting. 

City Attorney Eden Ramirez Jr. told members the ordinance could be enforced against the attorney and manager, but that the city has no recourse against an elected official who skips or refuses a test. For council members, he said, adopting it would work as a symbolic statement of the direction the city wants to take, and members could choose to submit voluntarily if randomly selected.

Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza said she had the city’s legal staff put the item on the agenda after the idea came up briefly at a workshop on the budget last month. She said the ordinance would show transparency and that city leaders should accept the same random testing expected of employees.

Councilwomen Jessica Ortega and Marissa Ortega Gerlach and Councilman Jose Alberto Vela voiced support. Ortega Gerlach said the council should hold itself to the standard it sets for staff, and Vela said he saw no reason for members to object when all employees are tested. Ramirez said he had no objection either. Mayor Pro Tem Ruben Plata had stepped away before the discussion.

Early voting is under way for the Nov. 3 election. Vela is not seeking another term, and Plata is giving up his seat to seek the mayor’s office.