Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Town Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Burns Harbor council authorizes deputy clerk to sign purchase orders, hold town credit card and serve as tax contact
Summary
At a special April 29 meeting, the Burns Harbor Town Council approved several interim administrative steps: empowering the deputy clerk to sign purchase orders, issuing a town credit card in her name, and naming her the town’s designated contact for state and federal tax matters; the council also heard administrative updates on SAM.gov and grant status.
The Burns Harbor Town Council on April 29 approved a package of interim administrative authorizations that give the town’s deputy clerk expanded authority to manage routine financial and tax communications until permanent arrangements are in place. Chair (S2) introduced the measures as transitional steps to ensure continuity in the clerk-treasurer’s office.
Council members voted to authorize the deputy clerk to sign purchase orders so purchases can be approved when the clerk-treasurer is unavailable. The council also authorized issuing a town credit card in the deputy clerk’s name and canceling the existing card in the former cardholder’s name after May 15. “By signing the purchase orders, she would, like when our Clerk Treasurer signs, indicate that the money is available,” the Chair said during the motion and roll-call vote.
Members next moved to name the deputy clerk the town’s authorized representative for state tax matters, and to designate her as the town’s IRS responsible officer and the town’s contact for the Indiana Department of Revenue. Each designation was approved by roll-call votes. Council members discussed informal notification practices for purchases and agreed staff should notify the council when larger purchases are planned.
In accompanying administrative updates, the Chair said the town’s SAM.gov account was renewed and staff submitted the ARP annual report today; quarterly payroll reporting (EES) through April 2026 was brought current, and some prior fines were identified that the town must address. “Maddie got it submitted today,” the Chair said of the ARP report, thanking staff who assisted. The chair added that clearing the filings puts the town in good standing to receive state funds and to seek an extension of a trail grant the town has been pursuing.
The council was reminded to review two proposals from Baker Tilly—one for a financial-sustainability outlook and another for budgeting support tied to a new DLGF system—ahead of the May 13 regular meeting. The council also approved a one-year extension of Susan’s contract and offered public thanks to staff who helped the deputy clerk transition into duties.
Votes at a glance: - Approve special meeting minutes (04/22/2026): approved by roll call. - Authorize deputy clerk to sign purchase orders: approved by roll call. - Authorize town credit card in deputy clerk’s name (cancel prior card after May 15): approved by roll call. - Designate deputy clerk as authorized representative for state taxes: approved by roll call. - Designate deputy clerk as IRS responsible officer: approved by roll call. - Designate deputy clerk as Indiana Department of Revenue contact: approved by roll call. - Adjournment: approved by roll call.
The council set its next regular meeting for May 13 and asked members to review the Baker Tilly proposals before then. No ordinances or fiscal appropriations were adopted at the special meeting; all items were procedural authorizations and administrative updates.
