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Washburn commission reverts most spending limits, approves routine purchases and appointments
Summary
At its meeting the commission voted to revert most staff spending limits to prior thresholds while raising the single-purchase cap for the city auditor and public works director to $2,000; it also approved routine maintenance purchases, a Forestry Board appointment and a clothing-allowance budget amendment.
The Washburn City Commission voted to return most department spending limits to their previous dollar thresholds while making a targeted change to permit the city auditor and public works director to authorize single purchases up to $2,000. Staff said the change will reduce operational delays created when routine purchases required commissioner sign-off; commissioners discussed examples of recent purchases that would have been affected and noted the limits will still require board approval for larger expenditures.
Other formal actions included: approval of the consent agenda, appointment of Jericho Swanson to the Forestry Board, approval of an actuator purchase for ongoing maintenance at the water plant, and a budget amendment to add a $1,000 clothing allowance line for 2026. Each motion was moved, seconded and recorded as approved during the meeting.
Commissioners also received updates on street and drainage project design, auction items with limited bids, the arrival date for asphalt crack-seal equipment (June 9), and routine operational notes such as the boat ramp opening. Staff reminded commissioners of an opening on the special assessment committee and of upcoming filing deadlines for city offices; the commission set a follow-up plan for engineering quotes related to any larger water/sewer project affecting Heritage lots.
The commission adjourned after scheduling its next meeting for April 13.
