Council allows city manager to adopt administrative utility policies to handle billing disputes and operations

The council approved an ordinance that authorizes the city manager to adopt administrative policies to further the purpose of the municipal utilities code (Title 13). City counsel and staff explained the change is intended to permit the city to adopt administrative policies for billing disputes, payment arrangements and other operational aspects such as curbside receptacle policies without repeatedly amending city code.

City attorney/manager Vaughn said: "So it's all about title 13, when feasible. So for example, policies could be adopted, about the proper use of curbside trash receptacles...not everything...has to be in the code. It can just be administrative policy." Staff said finance already uses many of these practices and the ordinance provides clear authority for implementing them.

A motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Beck and seconded by Councilman Carden; the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote (Councilwoman Beck — yes; Councilman Took — yes; Councilman Carden — yes; Councilman Oiler — yes). No additional ordinance text changes were made during the meeting.