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Cary Council Limits Manager Contract Authority, Requires Quarterly Reporting of Large Contracts
Summary
The council unanimously adopted a revised delegation resolution that caps the town manager's authority to sign contracts at $750,000 and requires quarterly reporting to the council for contracts above $300,000 and approval for non‑capital real estate transactions over $300,000.
CARY — The Cary Town Council voted unanimously on June 11 to adopt a revised delegation of authority resolution that reduces the town manager’s unilateral contract authority and increases council oversight of larger transactions.
Interim Town Manager Russ Overton summarized the changes: the operating proposal limits the manager’s (and deputy manager’s) authority to approve contracts to $750,000; requires staff to report contracts above $300,000 to council on a quarterly basis; and routes non‑capital real estate transactions over $300,000 to the council for approval. Overton said the thresholds are intended to balance operational needs — such as responding quickly to urgent public‑works issues — with council oversight, and that staff will update internal procedures to implement the new policy.
Councilmembers said the changes reflected months of discussion and would result in additional staff training, revised Oracle requisition thresholds and a staff report template for council review. The resolution passed unanimously.
What’s next: Staff will revise the internal standard operating procedures and implement the reporting template; council will begin receiving quarterly contract reports for items above $300,000 after July 1.
