Item 5 - Ord./City Expenditures - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Public Hearing and Possible Action: An Ordinance Concerning City Expenditures; Amending Sections 2.515 and 2.525, of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Repealing Section 2.555 of that Code Meeting Date: January 10, 2005 Agenda Item Number: 5 Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Sue Cutsogeorge www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5589 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a public hearing regarding a change to City Code regarding payment of City expenditures. The council is requested to consider taking action on the ordinance at this meeting, if possible. BACKGROUND The City Code includes several references to the ability of certain individuals to make payments for various reasons. · Section 2.515, which was last amended in 1998, states that the Finance Officer* may pay out money only on a check signed by the Mayor, City Manager and Finance Officer. · Section 2.525, which was last amended in 1982, states that the Finance Officer may issue checks drawn on city bank accounts to pay city bills and claims. · Section 2.555, which was last amended in 1989, states that the City Manager, Finance Officer, and Mayor are authorized to issue checks and warrants to pay salaries. · Section 2.585, which was last amended in 1990, states that the City Manager or designee may make payments from the risk fund for insurance premiums and in settlement of claims. In addition, the council passed Resolution No. 4364 in 1993 which stated (among other things) that the Mayor, City Manager and Finance Officer should provide facsimile signatures to the City's banking institutions for the purpose of authorizing checks to be honored for payment of employees and vendors. Technology has dramatically changed the way in which business is conducted with regard to financial payments. Salaries for employees and officers of the City are now largely paid by direct deposit made through electronic transfers. Some institutions are issuing stored value payroll cards instead of checks or direct deposit of salaries. Payments for federal and state taxes are made through electronic funds transfers. Hult Center performers are often paid with wire transfers. The future may bring even more options for making payments of various types. *The Finance Officer is a position that is described in City Code with a variety of financial duties. The current Finance Officer is Dee Ann Hardt, the City's Finance Director. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050110\S0501105.doc