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Council changes agenda wording to 'accept' invoices, accepts December financial statements
Summary
Council agreed to change agenda language from 'approve' to 'accept' for invoices and accepted the December financial statements after Finance Director Tina Williams explained the change would clarify oversight while reflecting that purchase orders already commit funds.
South Lebanon City Council voted on Feb. 19 to change future agenda wording from "approve" to "accept" for invoices and financial statements, and the council formally accepted the list of invoices and the December financial statements.
Finance Director Tina Williams told the council that invoices are presented after purchase orders are issued and that the word "approve" could mislead the public about the city's financial obligations. "We've issued a purchase order ... and we're obligated financially to pay them," she said, arguing that "accept" better reflects the council's oversight role while allowing staff to circulate invoices earlier in meeting packets.
Council member Brenda Combs moved to accept the invoices; Sharon Carmack seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded with Allen, Carmack, Combs, Better, Harrison and Smith voting in the affirmative and the motion carried. The council then voted to accept the December financial statements by the same vote pattern.
The change is procedural: staff said it would not alter payment obligations but would support transparency by getting invoice lists to council earlier in the packet cycle.
