Council adopts ordinance modernizing disposal of municipal personal property

Powell City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-01, an amendment to section 133.01 of the codified ordinances that updates how the city may dispose of municipally owned personal property and authorizes modern disposal venues such as online marketplaces.

Andy (city manager) told council the change was initiated by the finance director working with the law director and is intended to allow best practices for disposal — for example, using GovDeals and other electronic marketplaces in addition to traditional newspaper notices. The amendment clarifies that the existing code distinction between personal and real property remains in effect; staff said "personal property" in the code refers to nonreal property and does not mean staff or officials' personal assets.

Council members asked several procedural questions about the chapter, including whether the change had been reviewed by the finance committee; staff said it had not been through finance but that the city clerk manages disposals and keeps an inventory. Council discussed practical implications, including the ability to dispose of small items such as planters and hot-dog machines without a formal bidding process while retaining the bidding process for vehicles and major equipment.

Council unanimously agreed to suspend the rules to vote on the ordinance the same night. The roll call for suspension recorded affirmative votes from Heather Carr, David Lester, Reid Carlson, Tom Counts and Christina Drummond. The subsequent roll-call adoption recorded affirmative votes (as voiced on the record) and the mayor announced the ordinance was adopted. Staff said the change primarily provides staff more flexibility to choose efficient venues and complies with any state-mandated methods for specific assets when required.