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Council briefed on proposed ordinance to raise city manager signing authority to $50,000 and repeal 2020 resolution
Summary
City staff presented a draft ordinance that would repeal a 1988 code section, replace language about signing authority with a new provision authorizing the city manager to execute contracts under $50,000, and create an internal delegation matrix. Staff said the change reflects inflation and procurement efficiency and will be
City staff presented a proposed ordinance revision on July 22 to update signing authority levels and related code sections and told the City Council the measure will be brought forward for action at the next regular meeting.
What staff proposed: the draft ordinance would repeal Shelton Municipal Code section 2.06 (a 1988 code listing city departments) and add a new section (revising 2.18) that delegates authority to the city manager to award, execute and close out contracts valued under $50,000 on behalf of the city. The draft also authorizes the city manager to make one‑time purchases above $50,000 for supplies or equipment if the purchases are within the approved annual budget. Staff said the current council resolution (2020) that set a $30,000 delegation would be repealed when the ordinance is adopted.
Why staff recommended the change: presenters said raising the threshold reflects higher project and contract costs and improves operational efficiency so that routine procurements do not require multiple council agenda steps. Staff said purchases that exceed the threshold but are in the adopted budget would be handled via the budget process and that the finance and accounting teams will track delegated transactions.
Delegation matrix and controls: staff showed a matrix that assigns lower‑level signing authority to department directors, supervisory staff and field staff for day‑to‑day purchases and said the matrix would be adopted as an administrative policy tied to the ordinance. Staff noted checks and balances including supervisor sign‑offs on invoices, coding to the correct budget lines and discipline if the delegation is abused.
Next steps: staff said they will place the ordinance and a repeal of the 2020 signing‑authority resolution on the August 19 regular council agenda for introduction and action. No ordinance vote occurred at the study session.
