Not an official copy.

Gig Harbor, WA Ordinance No. 758

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO CITY FINANCE, ESTABLISHING AN AUDITING OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ACTION; AMENDING GIG HARBOR MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A NEW SECTION 2.17.030; AND SETTING FORTH AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, RCW 42.24.080 requires that prior to the payment of any claims presented against any county, city, district, or other municipal corporation or political subdivision by any persons furnishing materials, rendering services, performing labor or providing any other contractual services, an auditing officer shall audit said claim; and

WHEREAS, RCW 42.24.080 requires an authentication and certification by an auditing officer that the materials have been furnished, the services rendered or the labor performed and that the claims represent a just, due and unpaid obligation; and

WHEREAS, RCW 42.24.080 states that no claim shall be paid without such authentication and certification by an auditing officer; and

WHEREAS, the City of Gig Harbor had identified the auditing officer to be the Clerk/Treasurer, and

WHEREAS, on April 18, 1997, the City adopted Ordinance No. 757, which eliminated the office of Clerk/Treasurer; and

WHEREAS, in the adoption of Ordinance No. 757, the City inadvertently neglected to name the Finance Director as the City’s auditing officer; and

WHEREAS, the Finance Director must be formally named the City’s auditing officer immediately so that he can pay claims now due and owing against the City; NOW THEREFORE:

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. A new Section 2.17.030 is hereby added to the Gig Harbor Municipal Code to read as follows:

2.17.030 Auditing officer.

The position of auditing officer for the City of Gig Harbor is adopted to facilitate the payment of claims against the city and the Finance Director, or his designee, shall be the auditing officer.

Section 2. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.

Section 3. Declaration of an Emergency. The City Council hereby declares that the failure to designate a City auditing officer could prevent the City Finance Director from paying claims due and owing against the City. An emergency exists because if this ordinance is not adopted immediately, the Finance Director will not have the authority to pay claims against the City until at least May 26, 1997, which could result in adverse consequences to the City in the form of unmet obligations. Therefore, the City Council hereby declares the existence of an emergency necessitating immediate adoption in order to preserve public peace, health and safety, and for the support of City government and its existing public institutions.

Section 4.Effective Date of Ordinance. This ordinance has been passed by a unanimous vote of the City Council, shall take effective immediately upon passage, and shall not be subject to referendum.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GIG HARBOR THIS 12TH DAY OF APRIL, 1997.

APPROVED:

________________________________
MAYOR, GRETCHEN A. WILBERT

ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:

_________________________________
CITY ADMINISTRATOR, MARK HOPPEN

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:

BY ______________________________

FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 4/30/97
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 5/12/97
PUBLISHED: 5/21/97
EFFECTIVE DATE: 5/12/97
ORDINANCE NO. 758