Chapter 3.72
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY*

Sections:

3.72.010    Presentation and auditing procedures required – Statutory authority.

3.72.015    Payment of certain claims prior to council approval.

3.72.020    Monthly list – Presentation required – Contents.

3.72.030    Monthly list – Council approval.

3.72.040    Checks for payment – Requirements.

*    For statutory provisions regarding audit and allowance of demands against the city, see RCW 35A.13.210; for provisions regarding claims for contractual purposes, see RCW 42.24.080 – 42.24.110; for provisions regarding advancements for travel expenses, see RCW 42.24.120 – 42.24.160; for auditing officer provisions, see Section 3.01.030 of this code.

3.72.010 Presentation and auditing procedures required – Statutory authority.

All claims and demands against the city by persons furnishing materials, rendering services or performing labor, or for any other contractual purpose, shall be presented to and audited in the manner and upon the forms prescribed and with the certifications required by the provisions of RCW 42.24.080 through RCW 42.24.160, inclusive, and the provisions of RCW 35A.12.170, which provisions are by this reference incorporated herein as though fully set forth herein. (Ord. 97-12 § 1 (part), 1997: prior code § 1.15.020).

3.72.015 Payment of certain claims prior to council approval.

The city council authorizes the payment of claims and demands presented and audited in compliance with Section 3.72.010, prior to council approval, for the following types of claims:

A. Claims and demands against the city by persons furnishing materials if the amount of the claim or demand does not exceed twenty thousand dollars.

B. Claims and demands against the city by persons furnishing materials, rendering services or performing labor, or for any other contractual purpose if the contract or agreement under which the claim or demand is made has been previously approved by the city council.

All other claims and demands against the city shall be approved by the city council prior to payment thereof. (Ord. 2003-14 § 3, 2003: Ord. 97-12 § 1 (part), 1997).

3.72.020 Monthly list – Presentation required – Contents.

Not less than once each month the city treasurer and auditing officer shall present to the city council, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the council, a complete list of claims and demands against the city for services or other items incurred during the previous month. Such monthly list shall include the purchase order number, the name of the vendor or claimant, the service or object of the claim, the city division or department chargeable with the claim, and the amount of the claim. (Ord. 97-12 § 1 (part), 1997: prior code § 1.58.010).

3.72.030 Monthly list – Council approval.

A. The council shall examine the monthly list and determine whether the claims or demands thereon shall be allowed.

B. Any claims or demands paid in accordance with Section 3.72.015 which are disapproved by the city council shall be recognized as receivables by the city which shall pursue collection diligently until the amounts disapproved are collected or until the city council is satisfied and approves the claims or demands. (Ord. 97-12 § 1 (part), 1997: prior code § 1.58.020).

3.72.040 Checks for payment – Requirements.

The city manager, treasurer, clerk, or mayor shall draw checks which are payable out of solvent funds for claims or obligations upon the city’s qualified public depository, which checks shall be countersigned by the city manager, treasurer, clerk, or mayor, as follows:

A. The city manager, treasurer, clerk, and mayor are each authorized to draw and countersign checks for payment of claims and demands presented and audited in compliance with Section 3.72.010, which are subject to pre-approval payment in accordance with Section 3.72.015, upon compliance with the contracting, hiring, purchasing, and disbursing internal control policies of the city of Walla Walla.

B. The city manager, treasurer, clerk, and mayor are each authorized to draw and countersign checks for payment of claims and demands presented and audited in compliance with Section 3.72.010, which are not subject to pre-approval payment in accordance with Section 3.72.015, upon compliance with the contracting, hiring, purchasing, and disbursing internal control policies of the city of Walla Walla and approval by the Walla Walla city council as provided in Section 3.72.030.

C. Checks shall be drawn and countersigned by two different persons on behalf of the city of Walla Walla. No single person may both draw and countersign a check on behalf of the city of Walla Walla regardless of the number of offices held by such person. (Ord. 2009-27 § 1, 2009: Ord. 97-12 § 1(part), 1997: Ord. A-3678 § 1, 1991: prior code § 1.58.030).