A previous motion regarding the City of Blue Ridge’s purchasing policy, during a June 9 council meeting, brought controversy at their workshop Tuesday, July 7.
“I think Jeff and Robbie and I had one thing that we thought it was, and Mike had a different intention,” Mayor Donna Whitener said.
“In looking at checks this last time, there are a few of those we may want you (Finance Director Alicia Stewart) to ratify if this is what was intended because I thought I had the authority to approve a couple of those.”
Checks signed by Whitener were for various things including rock and pipe, she said.
The June 9 meeting had not been recorded by officials, and council members had different recollections on the verbiage that was presented by Councilman Mike Panter.
“I have discussed it with Mike and the motion that he meant to make, if there was some confusion, is what is written in the policy,” Stewart said. “And the main change is just the $2,500 to $5,000 category would be approved by a department head and council member over that department.”
The original motion included a $2,500 spending limit for department heads. If a purchase of $2,500 was necessary, it was motioned and approved to require department heads to seek approval from a council member assigned to the particular department.
In the case a council member couldn’t be reached, another council member would be responsible.
Anything less than $2,500 may be approved by the mayor.
The amended policy is to add that purchases of $5,000 or more must be presented to the full council to vote on.
An official vote is expected at the next council meeting, which has not been set.