Council raises city manager signing authority to $60,000, debates safeguards

The City Council on Dec. 9 voted to amend Municipal Code chapter 3.04 to raise the administrative signing limit for the city manager to $60,000. Director Kellogg told council the change aligns the city's threshold with regional averages and the uniform construction contract threshold and would reduce staff time preparing reports for lower‑value contracts.

Vice Mayor Deasy and other council members pressed staff about safeguards, noting the percentage increase from the prior threshold and asking whether the change could reduce transparency or allow unpopular purchases to be routed without council review. Staff responded that three written bids or price quotes would still be required for purchases in the $5,000–$60,000 range and that other internal processes remain in effect.

Council recorded an abstention on the ordinance adoption (Vice Mayor Deasy) and approved the measure with three yes votes. Council directed staff to review the informal solicitation language (the “may negotiate” phrasing) and return with suggested clarifying edits to ensure time‑sensitive purchases retain appropriate competitive checks.

What happens next: Administrative procedures and solicitation language will be revised for clarity and staff will return with recommended language and guidance on when negotiation is appropriate versus when formal solicitation is required.