MANSFIELD — Until a final 2020 city budget is approved, Mansfield City Council may decide Tuesday to take a greater role in spending decisions.
Council is expected to vote on an ordinance that would require its approval of all contracts over $24,999 until the final budget is approved at the end of March.
Currently, the limit is $50,000. Council in December approved a temporary spending plan that Finance Director Linn Steward called a “break-even budget.”
The change, discussed during council caucus on Jan. 7, cites “immediate necessity for ensuring fiscal responsibility before the final budget is adopted.”
Tuesday’s meeting will be the first with all council members in their places, including David Falquette as an at-large member and newcomer Laura Burns as the 1st Ward representative.
Council is expected to vote on 12 standing committee assignments for 2020-2021, each of whom has three members. Chairs would be:
— Airport — Phil Scott, at-large
— Claims — Falquette, at-large
— Economic development — Alomar Davenport, 4th Ward
— Employee relations — Jean Taddie, 6th Ward
— Finance and audit — Jon Van Harlingen, 3rd Ward
— Municipal and public utilities — Jason Lawrence, 5th Ward
— Parks and recreation — Cheryl Meier, 2nd Ward
— Public affairs — Taddie
— Rules — Burns
— Safety — Scott
— Streets and traffic — Lawrence
— Zoning — Van Harlingen
A claims committee meeting is planned at 6:35 p.m. before council caucus begins at 7 p.m. Six claims are scheduled for review, including four pot-hole claims, one sewer claim and one claim against “city forces.”
In other action Tuesday, council is expected to:
— Vote on bills that would allow for road resurfacing and striping during 2020.
— Vote on a resolution honoring recently retired Mansfield police officer Jeffrey Gillis.
— Vote on an ordinance accepting a $4,500 donation from the Richland County Foundation’s Richard and Lorraine Shrilla Fund to be used for improvements to Cyclops Field on the city’s north side.
