Moves mayor’s authority to spend money without approval that was previously set at $199
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council unanimously approved a resolution that allows the mayor to spend up to $10,000 without council approval and requires two signatures on any check the town issues. Councilwoman Shelisa McCall was not in attendance.
Right now, according to the town’s 40-plus year old charter, the mayor cannot spend more than $199 without council approval. The approval of an amendment by Century voters in the November 5 General Election will allow the Century mayor to spend more than $199. It was up to the council to set that cap amount.
There was discussion about what would happen if an emergency exceeded $10,000.
Interim Town Manager Howard Brown said that if the town has an emergency that exceeds $10,000, the mayor must come before the council and justify in writing how the money was expended.
“Now we are able to fix things without being in violation of the town’s charter,” said Brown.
Brown said they looked at the spending limits of various communities like Century and they saw from $5,000 to $25,000 so they chose $10,000. If the amount exceeds, must have town council approval and be done at a public meeting.
Brown said there will be a workshop next month on a purchasing or procurement ordinance also to streamline and update the town’s practices.
“Emergencies are very apparent,” said Brown. “You’ve had a number of them since I’ve been here. One involved the water and sewer plant and we had to take emergency action.”
Councilwoman Alicia Johnson made the motion, which was seconded by councilwoman Sandra McMurray Jackson. Councilwoman Shelisa McCall did not vote and wanted to speak.
Councilwoman Johnson spoke up and said that most, if not all, of the pumps are more than $5,000.
McCall suggested the council look at it case-by-case.
The resolution will also require two signatures, and although there is no requirement by the town charter currently, the town has had the long-standing practice of requiring both the mayor and town clerk to sign checks.
The new resolution will mean if there is no mayor, the acting mayor, according to the town’s charter, will sign. If an acting mayor is not available, the council president will sign. If the town clerk is not available, then the acting town clerk will sign. If there is no acting town clerk, then the deputy clerk would sign.
“You will have a two-signature setup where you can continue to do business,” said Brown.
