Josephine County commissioners approve expanded signing authority for chief deputy treasurer

Josephine County commissioners voted 2-1 Aug. 19 to approve a resolution that gives the chief deputy treasurer expanded signing authority, including the ability to open online banking accounts and sign certain financial agreements.

The board passed the measure after a lengthy discussion about whether the powers proposed in the resolution were broader than necessary and how the authority interacts with an existing county policy that the board recently suspended. Commissioners approved the measure with two votes in favor and one opposed.

County counsel told the board the item was presented as a resolution because financial institutions and vendors typically accept that vehicle and because it is the standard way to document delegated banking authorities. Counsel explained the difference between resolutions, board orders and policy in response to questions about whether a board order or a policy would override the resolution.

The treasurer (name not specified in the meeting record) said the expanded authority is meant to create redundancy so the county can continue to transact with banks and vendors if the treasurer is unavailable. "I'm responsible for these accounts. That's my office, and that's my accounts that I'm responsible for," the treasurer said, adding that the chief deputy is a sworn position who would act in the treasurer's stead if needed.

Opposing the resolution, Commissioner Black said the draft gave the chief deputy broader powers than the treasurer had described as necessary. "I think that this is not a question of trust. To me, it's that the authorities given in this resolution exceed what your needs are," Black said during debate, citing two provisions he highlighted as problematic: an item allowing the chief deputy to open online banking accounts and a provision allowing the chief deputy to "borrow money on behalf and in the name of Josephine County." Board members worried those particular powers could allow unilateral borrowing or new accounts without an additional layer of board review.

Legal counsel also noted the board had recently suspended signing authority by policy and said the interaction between that suspension and the resolution was not entirely clear; counsel recommended proceeding with the resolution while the legal questions about policy-versus-resolution are clarified.

The board took a roll-call vote after motions and seconds were made. The recorded vote was: Mr. Smith — yes; Mr. Burnett — yes; Commissioner Black — no. The chair announced the motion carried, 2 to 1.

Commissioners also discussed timing and distribution of the documents. Multiple members said they had not received a redline version of the draft until shortly before the meeting and suggested that when complex financial delegations are considered, documents should be provided earlier and in final form so commissioners can review them in advance.

The resolution approved at the meeting establishes the cited authorities for the chief deputy treasurer as written in the packet presented to commissioners; the record does not specify an effective date beyond the board's approval at the Aug. 19 workshop. The board did not specify additional amendments to the resolution at the meeting.