The Mission City Council discussed a possible ordinance on drug testing requirements for city officers at its regular meeting on Tuesday. The idea was first raised briefly at a budget workshop last month. A vote is expected at the council's next meeting.
If approved, the ordinance would require drug testing, including random testing, for the officers at the table. City Attorney Eden Ramirez Jr. said the rules could be enforced on the city attorney and city manager. He said enforcement would be different for elected officials, and the council could adopt the policy as a symbolic gesture.
Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza said she asked legal counsel to bring the item forward and that she believes the ordinance would show transparency. "If we expect our employees to take these random drug testing that we should, as leaders of this city, do the same," she said. Councilwomen Jessica Ortega and Marissa Ortega Gerlach also supported the idea. Mayor Pro-Tem Ruben Plata had stepped away before the discussion.