Opelika commission adopts ordinances to cure audit findings, limit severance pay and restore civil service review

The City of Opelika commission on Wednesday approved four ordinances designed to address a recent audit and tighten city employment and contracting rules.

The measures — introduced by the mayor and other commissioners — amend personnel and purchasing code sections, set limits on severance and extra compensation, require verification of contract deliverables before payment, formalize options for hiring charter officers and reestablish a civil service board for city employees. City officials said the package cures specific audit findings and restores procedural safeguards.

The severance-related ordinance (16‑a‑3) adds a new personnel-code section that prohibits severance pay for charter officers or other employees terminated for cause, requires future employment agreements to include specified statutory language and forgives payments inconsistent with the new rules made prior to and including calendar year 2022. Mayor Taylor said the change responds to “audit finding number 49” and is intended to “clean up” prior practices.

The purchasing-code amendment (16‑a‑4) requires clearer contractual service controls and verification of deliverables before payment; city staff said the change targets an audit finding that uncovered vendor payments with insufficient supporting documentation.

An ordinance on hiring (16‑a‑5) gives the commission the option to form a search committee or appoint by majority vote a city manager, city attorney or city clerk, and to choose between local or national searches — a change staff said addresses a gap cited in audit finding number 78.

Vice Mayor Kelly sponsored the ordinance to reestablish the civil service board (16‑a‑6). Her measure, city officials said, creates a hearing venue for employees who seek review of personnel matters outside collective-bargaining or the city-manager process, clarifies definitions for classified/unclassified service and specifies that a collective bargaining agreement would prevail where conflicts exist.

Public comment at the hearings included support for correcting audit findings. Audrey Dominguez, a resident, thanked the mayor and commission for addressing the items and urged careful implementation. Commissioners framed the package as part of a larger push to resolve audit issues and improve transparency.

All four ordinances passed on first reading by a 5‑0 roll call. The commission recorded unanimous votes for each motion.

What’s next: each ordinance moves to the next legislated step (final reading or implementation as required by city code). City staff said statutory language and implementation procedures will be incorporated into forthcoming employment agreements and contract procedures.

Votes at a glance: 16‑a‑3 (severance limits) — passed, first reading, vote 5‑0; 16‑a‑4 (contract controls) — passed, first reading, vote 5‑0; 16‑a‑5 (search committee/hiring) — passed, first reading, vote 5‑0; 16‑a‑6 (civil service board) — passed, first reading, vote 5‑0.