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Council narrows donation thresholds and requires council approval for larger gifts
Summary
The council amended and approved an ordinance setting thresholds and oversight for acceptance of donations by city departments; the body raised the lower threshold and required formal council approval for donations at and above $5,000.
The City Council amended and approved an ordinance that establishes procedures and approval thresholds for city departments to accept donations of goods, services and cash.
Under the amended language (Ordinance 25‑1‑28 as amended on the floor), donations between $1,500 and $4,999.99 will require formal city council approval; donations of $5,000 or more will also require formal council approval. The administration told council that cash donations have long been accepted and are recorded in trust accounts; the ordinance formalizes intake and front‑end review so the city confirms purpose and accounting before funds or goods are accepted.
Council members who had previously raised concerns about in‑kind donations or gifts said the amendment addresses the need for oversight and transparency. The administration said it supports the change and will continue to use trust accounts and established accounting practices for donated funds and will provide reporting to council.
