The Kennedale City Council voted to raise the city manager’s single‑purchase spending authorization to $50,000, a change council members said is intended to reduce repetitive agenda steps for budgeted purchases while others warned it reduces council oversight. Why it matters: The limit determines when the manager must return to council for approval of purchases and affects the speed of city procurement for budgeted items. What happened: City Manager and staff proposed an increase to align with a state recommendation; council members debated sizes ranging from retaining $25,000 to raising the ceiling to $100,000. Supporters said rising costs mean commonly purchased items (for example, modern patrol vehicles) now exceed old thresholds and that increasing the manager’s authority reduces redundant agenda items when purchases are already budgeted. Opponents said the council’s role is to provide public oversight and that $50,000 better preserves that function than a larger increase. Vote and procedure: Councilman David Glover moved to raise the limit to $50,000; Councilwoman Thelma Kobach seconded; the motion passed 3‑2 with the mayor voting in favor to break the apparent tie. Council direction and next steps: Staff noted that purchases still cannot exceed budgeted appropriations and that any budget overrun would require council approval. The council can revisit the policy in future meetings. Ending: Council members asked staff to clarify procedures so that routine, budgeted purchases do not require duplicate approval yet remain visible to council and the public.