Laurel Budget & Finance Committee reappoints chair and approves claims, payroll and utility adjustments

The City of Laurel Budget & Finance Committee reappointed Richard Klose as chair and approved routine financial items during its Jan. 13, 2026, meeting.

Tom Canape nominated Richard Klose to remain chair and Casey Wheeler seconded; the committee confirmed Klose “with no objection.” No nominations were made for vice chair; the committee deferred that appointment to its next meeting on Jan. 27, 2026.

The committee approved the minutes of Dec. 22, 2025, after a motion from Casey Wheeler and a second from Jessica Banks. Richard Klose moved, and Casey Wheeler seconded, approval of the claims and check register for claims entered through Jan. 9, 2026; the motion passed with no objection.

Payroll registers were approved in two motions. Tom Canape moved, and Jessica Banks seconded, approval of the payroll register for the pay period ending Dec. 20, 2025, totaling $254,389.89. Casey Wheeler moved, and Richard Klose seconded, approval of the payroll register for the pay period ending Jan. 4, 2026, totaling $286,180.77. Both motions carried with no objection.

Tom Canape moved, and Jessica Banks seconded, approval of the December 2025 utility billing adjustments; the committee approved them with no objection.

The committee conducted the approvals by unanimous consent; no roll-call vote totals were recorded in the minutes. The committee will consider the vice chair vacancy and other business at its next scheduled meeting on Jan. 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.