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Council narrows oversight for small change orders, allows city administrator authority up to $50,000
Summary
The council amended the purchasing policy to let the city administrator approve contract change orders up to $50,000, aligning change‑order authority with existing spending thresholds; the measure passed 6–2.
The Leawood City Council adopted an amendment to the city’s purchasing policy allowing the city administrator to approve change orders up to $50,000 for contracts the council previously approved.
City staff said the amendment aligns change‑order authority across purchasing mechanisms: expenditures above $50,000 require council approval, amounts up to $50,000 may be approved by the city administrator, and lower thresholds remain for department directors. Staff argued the change reduces administrative delays from minor contract adjustments—staff cited a recent example of a nominal change order that would have required council action and delayed project closeout.
Council discussion highlighted concerns about oversight and timing. Council member Kane said she remained uncomfortable increasing thresholds while staff and some council members are relatively new; Council member Gayet sought assurance that any change causing a project to exceed its budget would still come to the governing body. Staff confirmed change orders exceeding project budgets or altering scope would be returned to the council.
The amendment passed on a 6–2 vote with Council members Castor and Kane in opposition.
