City manager seeks council direction on delegating purchasing authority

City Manager Jeff Balentine asked the City Council on Jan. 14, 2026, for direction on whether and how to delegate purchasing and contracting authority to the City Manager and department heads.

Balentine described the item as a no-vote request intended to gather Council guidance before any formal ordinance or policy change. The transcript records presentation of the concept but does not record a Council decision, a motion, or a vote during the work session.

The proposal — as presented in the meeting record — would change internal procurement procedures by granting delegated authority to staff, but the transcript does not include specific threshold amounts, proposed ordinance language, or implementation details.

Council members and staff are expected to discuss options further; any change that affects procurement limits or contracting authority would require formal Council action at a subsequent meeting.