Council weighs lowering administrator spending limit and reviews technology, equipment-use and water-billing policies

Finance and committee members pressed for tighter purchasing controls at the May 6 Committee of the Whole meeting, with Finance Chair Tim Engard saying the Village Administrator’s current $50,000 spending limit should be reduced. "Mr. Engard feels that this should be lowered (nothing against the Administrator) to $15,000.00 or $20,000.00," the meeting record states; Mayor Aaron Patterson and other council members indicated agreement and asked staff to review the purchasing policy.

The council also noted the village is paying about $14,501 for the MuniCode system, which staff said is not being used; officials directed that training be scheduled. Public Utilities Chair Mike Soltis and Brian Roberts raised two operational items: an equipment-use authorization form led by Mr. Roberts and Mr. Bender that still needs revision and a Neptune Portal implementation that has been budgeted and will be discussed further between Mr. Soltis and Mr. Roberts.

On water billing, Mr. Roberts proposed removing the pool meter policy because the current system can adjust residents’ water bills; Mr. Bender and Mr. Roberts agreed to put any recommended change in writing. Separately, the Mayor proposed a personnel policy that would require employees who receive Village-funded education to commit to working for the village for a set period; Ms. Dick submitted a letter requesting authorization to attend HR training that the council said would benefit the Village.

Councilors did not adopt formal rule changes at the meeting; most items were referred back to staff for drafting, training, or policy review before any formal vote.