Council adopts ordinance to establish electronic funds payment policy

Centerton — The City Council on Sept. 9 adopted Ordinance 2025‑47 establishing an electronic funds payment system to permit the city to pay vendors and obligations electronically in compliance with legislative audit requirements. Why it matters: The ordinance formalizes procedures that local governments must have to make electronic disbursements (ACH, electronic payroll and vendor payments), aligns with audit recommendations and brings Centerton into routine practice used by many municipal governments. What the council approved: The ordinance authorizes the city clerk to establish written policies and procedures governing electronic payments and compliance with information‑security best practices. Council discussion clarified that the ordinance does not remove the ability to use checks; it provides an authorized policy framework required by state legislative audit for electronic funds transfers. Discussion vs. decision: Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025‑47 by roll call (Thompson: Yes; Henson: Yes; Reed: Yes; Hagen: Yes). Earlier in the meeting the council also discussed Ordinance 2025‑46 (park deed acceptance) and asked staff to strike a proposed emergency clause from that ordinance; the council recorded the removal before adoption. Implementation: Staff said the city already has some electronic payments (payroll taxes, child support withholding, etc.) but needs policy language and procedures for broader electronic vendor payments and internal controls. City clerk will draft the written procedures referenced in the ordinance and present them to council or make them available to auditors as required.