Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council backs new bill-pay policy to let staff approve modest bills between meetings
Summary
Council endorsed a bill-pay policy recommended by the finance committee that delegates limited payment authority to staff (e.g., up to $2,500 for one official, $5,000 for another) to avoid payment delays; larger or capital expenditures will still require council approval.
Council reviewed and agreed to a proposed bill-pay policy intended to reduce delays when invoices arrive after the agenda is published.
The mayor summarized the policy: staff would be allowed to approve routine bills in alignment with the town’s HR and policy handbook, with "myself" able to approve up to $2,500 and Stewart able to approve up to $5,000, while any capital expenditures or larger invoices would come before council. Finance committee recommended the hybrid process to prevent late bills from waiting an extra cycle. Council moved, seconded and approved the policy by roll call.
Council asked that staff maintain documentation for each delegated payment (especially for credit-card purchases) so line-item reconciliation is transparent to council and auditors.
