Upland council narrows language on city manager signing authority, authorizes department head signings up to $25,000

The Upland City Council on May 26 approved changes to the municipal code that clarify the city manager’s contract signing authority and explicitly authorize department heads to sign contracts up to $25,000.

Assistant City Manager Stephen Parker said the code currently limits the city manager’s authority to $50,000 per vendor in any fiscal year; the proposed wording change would treat the $50,000 threshold on a per‑project or per‑event basis so that separate projects with the same vendor do not cumulatively force repeated council approvals. The ordinance also adds a subsection permitting department heads to sign agreements up to $25,000, provided the signing is reported to the city manager immediately and included in the monthly council report.

Council debate: Councilmember Garcia questioned whether the revised language could erode council oversight, asking for examples where the prior threshold caused operational delays. Staff described recent instances — multiple independent agreements with one vendor that each exceeded $50,000 cumulatively — that led to two‑to‑four week delays while staff prepared additional council items. Councilmember Garcia and others emphasized safeguards and the ability to amend the authority in the future.

Vote and outcome: Councilmember Zuniga moved the ordinance and Councilmember Breitling seconded; the first reading was introduced and the ordinance passed on first reading by a 3–1 vote (three in favor, one opposed). Staff said monthly reporting will enable council oversight of cumulative vendor spending even when authority is exercised at the city‑manager level.

Next steps: The ordinance was introduced by title and will return as required for final adoption steps. Staff said they will continue the monthly reporting practice and can revisit thresholds in future code amendments.