Council adopts revised procurement policy raising director and mayoral thresholds after extended debate

Finance Director Gwen returned to council with a revised purchasing and procurement policy that reflected council comments from a July meeting. The new policy adjusts purchasing authority thresholds and clarifies dual‑approval requirements to improve efficiency while preserving oversight.

"The revised purchasing policy before you tonight has been changed to $20,000 for directors," Gwen said, adding the public works director would have authority to execute contracts up to $40,000 with dual approval by finance and the mayor would have authority up to $60,000 with finance approval; contracts above $60,000 would go to council. Council members pressed for accountability and asked how routinely executed, budgeted items and surprise expenditures would be reported to council. Council member John Smart said he wanted protections for both staff and public oversight: "What I want is I want protection for the people who are writing the checks, and I want protection for the public to know that and accountability to know that there isn't a frivolous ..."

Public works director Roscoe Slade described the administrative burden of bringing routine budgeted contracts to council and said raising thresholds for contract execution would save staff time; others sought added reporting or periodic contract listings. After debate the council adopted Resolution 45‑26. The resolution directs staff to implement the revised thresholds and maintain internal checks and reporting procedures.