Ethics complaint against five dismissed

Panel: Evidence insufficient against 3 council members, 2 on city’s development board.

An ethics complaint against three Hutto City Council members and two members of the board of Hutto’s Economic Development Corporation has been dismissed.

The Hutto Ethics Commission found Monday night during a preliminary hearing that there was insufficient evidence to show a violation had occurred, said Mike Shaughnessy, the city attorney. Shaughnessy was not involved in the investigation.

During Monday’s hearing, the commission heard testimony from Kay Johnson, the resident who filed the complaint, as well as those she filed the complaint against, including Council Members Tim Jordan, Terri Grimm and Nate Killough. The complaint also was filed against two members of the economic development corporation board: Justice of the Peace Bill Gravell and Royger Harris.

The complaint alleged that the council members had violated the city charter by appointing Gravell and Harris to the board because of their political affiliations with them. Harris or his wife managed or worked as a treasurer in the three council members’ campaigns. The complaint also alleged Gravell and Harris violated the city charter by giving money directly or indirectly to the campaign of one of the council members.

Elizabeth Sparrow dances Saturday afternoon at the event. Sponsored by the Pflugerville Chamber, the event took place at the Pfield.

Scarlett Nachampassak bumps her head inside a helicopter at the expo. The event included public safety displays, merchant booths and children’s activities.