Candidate letter 20166T9 a s
V.
July 27, 2016
Dear Prospective Candidate:
Thank you for your consideration to offer your services to the citizens of Schertz by becoming a candidate
for this year's municipal election. Your candidacy entails the obligation to comply with certain applicable
state statutes and local ordinances. In an effort to assist you, I have prepared a "Candidate's Packet" with
the necessary forms and pertinent instructions. 1 urge you to read this letter and the enclosed /attached
material prior to filling out the specific forms.
All candidates for office in the City of Schertz must meet all the qualifications to serve on the City Council as
listed in Section 4.02 of the Charter as follows:
1. Must, at the time of filing for office, have attained the age of eighteen or older on the first day of the
term of office applied for.
2. Be a registered voter of the City of Schertz.
3. Have been a resident of the City for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the
deadline for filing for an application for a place on the ballot.
Please be aware that the term of office for Councilmember Place 3, is for an unexpired term for one year
ending November 2017.
With regards to election forms, please be aware that Section 254.036 of the Election Code requires that all
forms regarding financial reporting be written in black ink or typed with black typewriter ribbon unless the
report is a computer printout. If the report is a computer printout, the printout must conform to the same
format and paper size as the form prescribed by the commission.
Forms and information for the 2016 City of Schertz City Special Election for City Officials are
enclosed /attached, as well as on our website www.schertz.com. The first two forms listed below are the
documents you need to submit when you file for office. I cannot over emphasize the importance of
adherina to the financial reportina procedures. Camoaian resorts are considered open records and
will be viewed as such by reporters and opponents alike.
(1) One copy of an Application for a place on the City of Schertz Special Election Ballot
(bilingual). The loyalty oath is included on this application and must be notarized. There are two
notaries in my office to assist you if you need this service.
(2) One copy of Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer By a Candidate (Form CTA), together with
Form CTA - Instruction Guide. The Form CTA should be filed in my office at the same time as
the above application. Please note the statement that must be signed regarding the nepotism law.
A summary of the nepotism law is in the CTA Instruction Guide.
All of the above listed forms must be filed in my office no earlier than 8:00 a.m., Wednesday,
July 27, 2016, and no later than 5:00 p.m., Thursday August 25, 2016. There is a $25 filing
fee. Each application must be carefully reviewed to determine whether it complies with the
Election Code requirements as to content. Please file your application as soon as
practicable to allow sufficient time for this review.
1400 Schertz Parkway Schertz, Texas 78154
- 1 -
21 U191 000 Z corr,
SCHIE-A-IRTZ I OCOMMUNITY
PPORTUNITY
(3) One copy of Candidate /Officeholder Campaign Finance Report (Form C /OH), together with
Form CIOH - Instruction Guide. The form C /OH is to be completed by the candidate or the
candidate's campaign treasurer (but signed only by the candidate). This is to be filed in my office
on the dates specified on the form and on the election calendar. Form C /OH -FR,
Campaign /Officeholder Report: Designation of Final Report is the last page attached to Form
C /OH. This form is to be filed when you are no longer receiving or spending political contributions.
A complete Form CO /H (Candidate /Officeholder Campaign Finance Report) must be filed when
you file the Designation of Final Report. The instructions on how to file the Final Report are in the
Instruction Guide for Form C /OH.
(4) One copy of Candidate /Officeholder Report of Unexpended Contributions (Form CIOH -UC)
and the Form CIOH -UC — Instruction Guide. The form C /OH -UC is for filing either an annual
report of unexpended contributions or a report of the final disposition of unexpended contributions.
(5) A copy of the Texas Ethics Commission's Code of Fair Campaign Practices Form CFCP and
Chapter 258, Election Code. This form may be signed voluntarily, and is not mandatory.
(6) A copy of the Texas Ethics Commission 2016 Filing Schedule. In this schedule, you will find
information regarding the November 8, 2016 election. Any questions on reporting procedures,
contributions, or expenditures should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission at (800) 325-
8506 or (512) 463 -5800.
(7) A copy of Texas Ethics Commission Notice to Local Filing Authorities
(8) A copy of the Texas Ethics Commission's Political Advertising, What You Need To Know.
(9) A copy of the Rules for Posting Campaign Signs fact sheet regarding political sign placement
and time limits and a copy of the City of Schertz UDC Sec. 21.11.5 Exempted Signs.
(10) A copy of the Election Calendar for a City's General Election on November 8, 2016. This
calendar provides dates for actions that are necessary for the general election of city offices to be
held on November 8, 2016.
(11) One copy of the City Charter (Or obtain off the City Website)
(12) One copy of Amendment: Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate (Form
ACTA) and Form ACTA — Instruction Guide. Use this form for changing information previously
reported on Form CTA and for renewing your choice to report under the modified schedule. The
information you enter on this form will replace the information from your previous Appointment of a
Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate form (CTA).
(13) City Council Rules of Conduct Procedure.
(14) City Council Code of Ethics.
1400 Schertz Parkway Schertz, Texas 78154
-2-
21 O� 6191000 Z,f;on�
6T9 a s
W.
It is your duty to become familiar with the laws applicable to campaigning for office. Regarding the filing of
candidate /officeholder reports, the City Secretary is limited to accepting and filing the various applications,
affidavits, and /or statements, and noting the date and time of filing thereon. Should you have any questions
regarding reporting procedures, contributions, or expenditures, please call the Texas Ethics Commission at
(800) 325 -8506 or (512) 463 -5800, or go online at www.ethics.state.tx.us.
You may direct questions about election laws to the Secretary of State at (800) 252 -8683 or (512) 463 -5650,
or go online at www.sos.state.tx.us . Please note that a copy of the current Texas Election Code is on file in
my office, and you are more than welcome to stop by and review it during regular business hours.
Groups or committees that are advertising or campaigning for a candidate or for /against a specific measure
(propositions on the ballot) are called Specific Purpose Committees and must file specific forms (SPAC) with
the City Secretary at different times throughout the year. These groups are required to appoint a campaign
treasurer before accepting or expending any funds. The forms and instructions are in my office, and I will
make them available to you or to your committee's representative upon request. If you prefer, you can
download the forms yourself from the Texas Ethics Commission's website at w.ethics.state.tx.us.
The City Secretary's office is open to assist you. Your interest in municipal government is appreciated, and
I trust that this will be a positive and exciting experience for you and your supporters. If you have any
concerns or if I may be of assistance, do not hesitate to contact me at 210.619.1030, via email at:
bdennis schertz.com, or come by my office. My best wishes to you!
Sincerely,
Brenda Dennis
Brenda Dennis, TRMC, MMC, CPM
City Secretary
1400 schertz Parkway Schertz, Texas 78194
-3-
210.619.1000 S Gt[OdIr COfT