Council pulls two travel-related purchase orders from claims docket after paperwork dispute; staff to investigate

A motion to remove two purchase orders (PO 253582 and PO 253583) from the mandatory claims docket passed at Meridian’s March 6 council meeting after Councilman Davis raised concerns that paperwork for travel reimbursements had not been submitted properly for one employee, producing an apparent disparity in payments.

Councilman Davis asked that the two POs be removed until documentation was corrected. City staff and other council members said removing the items would allow staff to investigate without penalizing employees who had submitted correct paperwork. A staff member said some forms had been submitted numerous times since February but not approved; council directed staff member Will to check and report back.

Why it matters: The action pauses payment on two specific claims pending an internal review and preserves council oversight of reimbursements. Staff emphasized the council’s authority to pull items from the claims docket and said the matter would be revisited after the investigation.

At the meeting, council considered fairness to employees and the integrity of the city’s reimbursement process. One council member recorded a vocal dissent during the vote, saying they did not believe in penalizing employees; the transcript records at least one “nay” during the roll call. The presiding official said staff would investigate and the items could be returned to the claims docket once the information was corrected.

Next steps: Will (city staff) will investigate the paperwork and report back to the council; the two POs will remain off the claims docket until the issue is resolved.