Pottsville council holds first reading of ordinance to create municipal depository board

The Pottsville City Council on April 27 conducted the first reading of Ordinance 2026‑3, a measure to establish a municipal depository board to oversee which banks hold city funds and to define the board’s membership and duties. The chair asked the clerk to read the ordinance by title, and the reading was entered into the record without a vote.

Why it matters: The depository board would centralize oversight of the city’s public funds and formally designate who signs or oversees depository relationships, a procedural change the presenter said will increase transparency and allow the city to meet statutory requirements for handling public funds.

According to the ordinance language read aloud by the clerk, the board’s membership would include the presiding officer, the city clerk, the finance director and one council member appointed by the council. Councilmember Randall Blaylock agreed to serve as the council’s liaison when the chair opened the floor for discussion; Blaylock said, “Yes, I'm willing.”

Officials said the ordinance’s text was left largely as drafted but that the board would be required to meet at least annually by ordinance language; the presenter said the city plans to meet quarterly to review banking and investment activity. The clerk conducted the first reading of Ordinance 2026‑3 by title only; no second reading or adoption occurred during the meeting.

Next steps: The ordinance will require a subsequent reading and formal council action at a future meeting before adoption. The clerk will schedule the next reading according to council procedure.