Michigan City Parks and Recreation on Nov. 19 voted to approve a set of routine financial and contract items including annual renewals, authorization of open charge accounts, acceptance of claims and payroll and a small intra-fund transfer.

Staff explained the department's purchase policy requires the board to approve open accounts annually to allow authorized employees to charge to vendors such as Lowe's and Menards; staff said they have a process to remove access when employees separate service. The board approved the open accounts document by motion.

The board approved annual renewals (the final year before rebidding in 2026) for sanitation/porta-potty services, Hatfield Pest Control (pest control service), Republic Services (trash collection) and a landscape maintenance contract for Millennium Plaza (service scape), each carried by voice vote.

Finance reported a claims docket total of $91,183.91 and moved to pay vendors; payroll for pay period 23 (Oct. 26–Nov. 14) was reported at $83,603.74 and approved. The board accepted gifts and donations to the zoo (examples cited: Boo at the Zoo sponsor, $500; GAF donation, $5,000; Kroger giveback $78.55) and approved several minor budget transfers.

The board also approved Resolution No. 1079 authorizing budget transfers to move funds within accounts to cover unanticipated expenses; the resolution read an example transfer of $2,287 within Senior Center Fund 2204.506 (reducing vacation buyback and increasing contractual accordingly). Board members approved the resolution by motion and voice vote.

All motions on finance and contracts passed by voice vote; the transcript does not record roll-call vote totals for each motion.