Council amends city code to match state procurement threshold; city manager authority raised to $100,000
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Summary
The council amended Chapter 2 of the City Code to mirror a change in state law that raises the contract signature threshold to $100,000 for the city manager and authorizes the city attorney to settle litigation up to $50,000; the ordinance also updates department names and adds Veterans Day and Juneteenth to city observances.
Wichita Falls, Texas — The Wichita Falls City Council on July 15 approved an ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the municipal code to reflect a recent change in Texas law that will allow cities to purchase goods and services up to $100,000 without competitive bidding, and to give the city manager authority to enter contracts up to that amount.
City staff explained the amendment as an update to mirror the state change effective Sept. 1 and said the revision reduces council workload by allowing the manager to execute contracts up to the new threshold. The amendment also adjusts a long‑standing practice by authorizing the city attorney to enter litigation settlements up to $50,000 and includes non‑substantive updates — department name corrections — and recognition of Veterans Day and Juneteenth in the code.
“As of September 1, the state law has changed, and it's going to allow cities to purchase goods and services up to a $100,000 without having to bid it out,” a city staff member told the council. The staff member added that the city clerk and staff reviewed Chapter 2 to align names and minor provisions with current practice.
Council voted to adopt the ordinance. The transcript records that the motion passed; no roll‑call details were recorded in the public record excerpt.
The ordinance takes effect consistent with state law timing; staff said noncontroversial edits were limited to administrative updates. The council did not discuss specific pending contracts affected by the change at the meeting.
