Council removes former finance director from accounts and debates bank signatory procedures

The Bridget City Council on June 11 adopted a resolution removing former finance director Kimberly Wilson from city accounts and had an extended governance discussion about bank signatories and the interim finance director.

Council approved the resolution to remove Kimberly Wilson from accounts; the motion carried with Councilwoman Johnson Norwood recorded as abstaining. Several council members raised concerns that Patricia (Trisha) Scott, whom the mayor had named as acting finance director, appeared to have been added as a signer on at least one bank account before the council had an opportunity to ratify her appointment. Council members and the city attorney debated whether the mayor can place a finance director on accounts without a separate council resolution; some said statute grants the mayor authority to appoint while others emphasized that banks typically require a formal council resolution on letterhead to add or ratify signatories.

Council members said a check for a water vendor had been presented but not issued because of signature questions, and they said $1,000 in late fees or related costs had resulted from the delay. Members asked the administration to prepare and transmit an appropriate resolution naming the acting finance director and the authorized signers to the banks to avoid further payment delays.

Separately, the council moved and approved reimbursing Councilwoman Annie Williams $382.98 for discretionary district mailings and approved other agenda items including park requests, a day-of-prayer resolution and an annexation ordinance elsewhere on the agenda.

Council directed staff to prepare any necessary ratifying resolutions and to provide the requested contract or appointment documentation, along with any required bond paperwork for the finance director role.