Chapter 3.10
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

Sections:

3.10.010    Payment of claims and obligations.

3.10.020    Depository designated—Signing authority.

3.10.030    City auditing officer.

3.10.040    Payment of claims made against the city prior to city council approval.

Prior legislative history: Ord. 597.

3.10.010 Payment of claims and obligations.

The city of Pateros may pay claims or other obligations of the city by check or warrant if the paying fund is solvent. In case the fund is not solvent, a warrant will be used. (Ord. 664 § 1 (part), 2008)

3.10.020 Depository designated—Signing authority.

North Cascades National Bank will be designated the qualified public depository upon which such checks are to be drawn and the officers authorized to sign any checks or warrants will include the clerk-treasurer, the mayor, the deputy clerk, and any council members as may be assigned these duties by resolution of the council. All checks and warrants shall be signed by two authorized officers. (Ord. 664 § 1 (part), 2008)

3.10.030 City auditing officer.

The city clerk-treasurer shall serve as the city auditing officer and shall act as auditor for the city for all claims, demands, vouchers and payroll presented to the city council for approval. Such claims, demands, vouchers and payroll shall be prepared for audit and payment by form providing for the authentication and certification by the city auditing officer that the materials have been furnished, services rendered or labor performed as described, and the claim, demand, voucher or payroll is a just, true and unpaid obligation against the city. (Ord. 664 § 1 (part), 2008)

3.10.040 Payment of claims made against the city prior to city council approval.

The city auditing officer is authorized to issue warrants or checks in payment of claims, demands, vouchers and payroll prior to city council having acted to approve such claims, demands, vouchers and payroll if the following conditions are met:

A.    Any officer authorized to sign checks or warrants pursuant to Pateros Municipal Code Section 3.10.020 shall each furnish an official bond for the faithful discharge of his/her duties in an amount determined by the city council, but not less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

B.    No check or warrant issued prior to city council approval may exceed the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000).

C.    The city council has adopted contracting, hiring, purchasing and disbursing policies that implement effective internal control, and any claim, demand, voucher or payroll to be paid under this section must comply with all other policies adopted by the city.

D.    The city council shall review all documentation supporting any claim, demand, voucher or payroll paid, and for approval of all checks or warrants issued in payment of any claim, demand, voucher or payroll at a regularly scheduled public meeting within one month of issuance.

E.    If, upon review, the city council disapproves a claim, demand, voucher or payroll, the city auditing officer and an officer designated to sign the checks or warrants shall jointly cause disapproved claims to be recognized as receivables of the city and will pursue collection diligently until the amounts disapproved are collected, or until the city is satisfied and approves the claim, demand, voucher or payroll.

(Ord. 664 § 1 (part), 2008)