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Council asks clerk to gather invoices after social‑media post exposes speaker payments
Summary
After a council‑sponsored event, at least one speaker posted a copy of a city check online and several other panelists asked about payment; the clerk asked for all invoices and reminded the council that the city only appropriated $7,500 for that event, so any additional payments require council direction.
Council members returned to an earlier event after social media surfaced a photo of a city check paid to one participant. Council members said several panelists later contacted them asking for payment even though there was no uniform written agreement for speaker compensation at the event.
Madam Clerk Van told the council that the city had appropriated $7,500 for the event (a figure that emerged during earlier conversation) and that any invoices beyond the appropriated amount would need council approval before payment. The clerk asked the event organizer to submit all outstanding invoices so she can present them and recommended instituting the funding‑request template and clearer event procurement procedures to prevent ad hoc promises.
Attorney Hendricks advised that, while there was no formal contract for some speakers, fairness suggests compensating speakers who rendered comparable services; he also urged the council to require prior agreements for future paid presentations. Council members agreed to collect the invoices and consider covering unpaid fees from sponsorships or a council‑approved supplemental appropriation.
Next steps: event organizer to submit all unpaid invoices to the clerk; clerk will present total outstanding amount for council action.
