SEC. 13-26. CITY OFFICIALS OR EMPLOYEES NOT TO RECOMMEND ATTORNEYS OR SURETIES.

   No appointive official of the city or employee of the city in any capacity may recommend to any person charged with a violation of any provision of this code or other city ordinance a lawyer for representing the person in the matter or a person for serving as surety on any bond for the person in the matter. The penalty for a violation of this section by an official or employee of the city, in addition to any other penalty which may be now or hereafter provided for, shall include, at the option of the appointive power and after a determination that a violation of this section has occurred, immediate discharge of the official or employee in the manner provided for in the city personnel rules. (Code 1941, Art. 28-12; Ord. Nos. 8215; 19802)

SEC. 13-27. TRAFFIC CITATIONS AND COMPLAINTS TO BE DELIVERED TO THE MUNICIPAL CLERK.

   The chief of police and the directors of other city departments authorized to issue citations to the municipal court of record shall deliver to the municipal clerk, at least once every 24 hours, the court copy of every citation issued by the department. (Code 1941, Art. 28-14; Ord. Nos. 8215; 15279; 17029; 19802)

SEC. 13-28. VIOLATION OF PROMISE TO APPEAR.

   (a)   A person lawfully released from custody, whether by posting of bond or by signing a written notice to appear, on condition that he subsequently appear in the municipal court of record, commits an offense if he fails to appear in the municipal court of record in accordance with the terms of his release.

   (b)   The requirement for appearance in the municipal court of record is met if counsel appears on behalf of a person required to appear.

   (c)   For purposes of this section, “custody” means an arrest or a detention for purposes of issuing a written citation by a police officer or by a person authorized to issue citations under Section 13-1.1 of this chapter.

   (d)   An offense committed under this section is punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500. (Ord. Nos. 17030; 17226; 19802)

SEC. 13-28.1. LOCAL CONSOLIDATED FEE.

   (a)   Pursuant to Chapter 134 of the Texas Local Government Code, as amended, the municipal clerk shall collect a local consolidated fee of $14 for each misdemeanor offense conviction, in addition to any other fines, penalties, or court costs required by city ordinance or state or federal law.

   (b)   The local consolidated fee collected under this section must be deposited and allocated in accordance with Section 134.103(b) of the Texas Local Government Code as follows:

      (1)   Municipal court building security fund. Funds may only be used for security personnel services, and items related to buildings that house the operation of municipal court. A non-exhaustive list of potential uses included in Article 102.017(c) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

      (2)   Local truancy prevention and diversion fund. Per Section 134.156 of the Texas Local Government Code, funds may only be used to finance the salary, benefits, training, travel expenses, office supplies, and other necessary expenses relating to the position of juvenile case manager. Funds may not be used to supplement the income of an employee whose primary role is not as a juvenile case manager.

      (3)   Municipal court technology fund. Fund may only be used to finance the purchase of or to maintain technological enhancements for a municipal court. A non-exhaustive list of potential uses is included in Article 102.0172(b) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

       (4)   Municipal jury fund. Per Section 134.154 of the Texas Local Government Code, funds may only be used for juror reimbursement and to otherwise fund finance jury services. (Ord. Nos. 22669; 23263; 31395; 32003)

SEC. 13-28.2. RESERVED.

   (Repealed by Ord. No. 31395)

SEC. 13-28.3. REIMBURSEMENT FEE FOR CERTAIN PAYMENTS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR AN INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

   (a)   Pursuant to Chapter 132 of the Texas Local Government Code, as amended, the municipal clerk may collect a reimbursement fee up to an amount not to exceed five percent of the amount of the fee, fine, court cost, or other charge being paid for each payment of fines, penalties, court costs, or other fees assessed by the municipal court made through:

      (1)   the internet, when the payment is made by check, debit card, or credit card; or

      (2)   an interactive voice response telephone system, when the payment is made by credit card.

   (b)   The reimbursement fee collected under this section must be deposited in the general fund of the city or the municipality must approve any fee charged by a vendor under a contract authorized to provide services through the internet. (Ord. Nos. 27362; 28423; 29149; 31395; 32003)