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Council raises city purchasing‑card authorization amid growing card usage; finance director explains controls
Summary
Council approved Resolution R2025-3-10 to raise the city’s purchasing‑card credit limit to avoid payment timing issues. Finance director Beverly explained monthly card flows, oversight and the need for a larger authorization to cover the 30‑day billing cycle plus processing time.
The Tucker City Council on March 24 approved Resolution R2025-3-10 to increase the city’s purchasing‑card credit limit after a finance presentation on recent card usage and budget context.
Beverly (finance director) explained the card program and controls used by the city: employees sign for individual cards and are personally responsible for charges; the bank issues a monthly statement with funds withdrawn around the 20th of the following month; finance staff reconcile receipts and will recover improper charges from payroll if necessary. Beverly said the city averages roughly $24,250 in card charges per month across about 3,100 transactions in the past 13 months.
Why it matters: the requested increase is intended to prevent the city’s card account from hitting the existing limit during months with heavier seasonal charges (summer programs, conference registrations, travel and program supplies) and to avoid delaying purchases or forcing alternative payment workflows.
Councilmember Rees asked for an explanation for the public; Beverly described typical card uses (supplies for athletics, food for programs, travel and conference registrations, membership dues). Councilmembers asked about opportunities to centralize recurring payments and reduce credit card use; staff said the city maintains some business accounts (Amazon, Sam’s, Staples), is moving more vendors to ACH when possible and is drafting a travel policy to reduce the need for ad hoc card charges.
Vote: Council approved Resolution R2025-3-10 unanimously (7–0).
Ending: Finance staff will continue to reconcile monthly statements, pursue ACH and central‑billing options where possible, publish a travel policy under development and report to council as requested.
