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Newland board adopts deputy finance officer designation, procurement policy and grant ordinance; authorizes donation acceptance
Summary
At a November meeting the Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution appointing a deputy finance officer, approved a federal procurement policy needed to accept a $3.2 million water/wastewater grant, adopted a grant project ordinance for FEMA public assistance and ratified acceptance of a donated UTV while delegating donation acceptance authority to the town manager up to $15,000.
The Board of Aldermen voted on several governance items tied to financial controls and disaster recovery.
Resolution appointing deputy finance officer: The town manager read a resolution designating Alderman Gail Haller as deputy finance officer with authority to sign checks and pre-audit certificates only in the absence of the finance officer. The manager said the designation responds to the Local Government Commission's recommendation to address segregation-of-duty findings noted in the 2023 audit.
Procurement policy: The manager said the town must adopt a federal procurement policy to receive a $3.2 million water and wastewater grant; she said the draft was vetted by the School of Government and regional planners. The board moved to adopt the procurement policy.
Grant-project ordinance: The board reviewed and moved to adopt a grant-project ordinance for FEMA public assistance tied to initial recovery work. The manager cautioned that some line-item numbers on the ordinance may need amendment as project scope is finalized.
Donation and delegation: The mayor secured a donated four-passenger UTV from Lowe's (Banner Elk) for municipal use. The board ratified acceptance and authorized the town manager to accept donations up to $15,000 without a board vote to expedite similar gifts.
Motion on chickens ordinance tabled: A motion to remove poultry from the livestock ordinance (chapter 81.09) was made during public comment, but the town manager successfully moved to table the discussion and schedule a public hearing in January or February so the town can focus on recovery priorities.
Provenance: Items and votes appear in meeting text beginning at SEG 135 (deputy finance officer resolution) through SEG 226 (procurement/grant ordinance and donation), with the motion to table the chickens discussion recorded around SEG 1370'SEG 1394.
