Los Alamitos council votes to place financial‑transparency item on future agenda after warrants debate

A councilmember asked for greater access to invoices and questioned recent purchase orders and a no‑bid contract during the Los Alamitos City Council meeting on Sept. 23, prompting an extended legal and administrative exchange about the council’s accelerated warrants policy.

The city attorney advised that the council was following its adopted policy, which allows members to ask questions in advance and directs staff to provide information to facilitate approval. Councilmembers pressed staff about why some invoice sets were not provided electronically, why a PO for Measure X work was issued in late June and why a vendor was sourced without a competitive bid.

A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to prepare a succinct staff report and place an item on a future agenda to consider requiring electronic delivery of financial information to council members. The motion to pursue placement on a future agenda passed by a 3–1 vote with one abstention. The motion itself will be discussed and potentially expanded in a future meeting after staff prepares the requested brief report.

City Manager Chet Simmons and staff explained the city currently limits manual invoice requests that require more than three hours of staff time, and they said the finance department is working to digitize the warrant/invoice system. Simmons told the council the city aims to have a fully digitized warrant system in the next month or two to enable immediate electronic delivery of invoices and reduce staff time spent compiling paper copies.

Councilmembers and staff agreed the next step is a two‑step process under council policy: staff will return with a concise memo on the next agenda and, if the council votes to pursue it, a full staff report will follow for formal consideration.