County staff outline new credit‑card policy after council vote; some members say they were blindsided

County administration and procurement staff described a new county credit‑card program during council time on June 22 and answered questions after council members raised concerns about notification and controls.

Mr. Carpenter (county administration) said the county expanded the number of cards and raised limits to allow departments that need frequent small purchases to operate without repeated check requests. Procurement staff (Miss Bieber) described controls: "individual monthly spending limits um ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the operational needs of each individual department," and a maximum per‑transaction limit of $2,500 per card; staff also described required supporting documentation, monthly reconciliations, departmental procurement review, finance approval before payment, random periodic audits and disciplinary steps for misuse.

Council members asked practical questions about permitted and prohibited transactions (fuel purchases, small tools), how missing receipts will be handled and whether other counties use this approach. Several said they had not received an explanatory email or sufficient notice before the prior meeting vote and attempted a motion to reconsider; the motion failed for lack of a second. Staff said signed paperwork with banks may already be in place as a result of the earlier vote, but that the council could place reconsideration on a future agenda if a member who voted in the affirmative requests it at the next meeting.

Staff emphasized that the policy does not increase departmental budgets — it only provides a faster payment mechanism — and that training, monthly reconciliations and random audits will be part of the program design.