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Century Ups Mayor’s Spending Limit By 4,900% As Resident Questions Amount
December 4, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to increase the mayor’s spending limit by 4,900% as a local resident questioned the amount.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., as well as previous mayors, had a spending limit of $200 before the vote.
During the November general election, Century voters approved a charter amendment to allow the town council to develop policies and procedures for purchasing, bidding, contracts, and related practices. That includes new spending limits for the mayor.
Tuesday night, the council’s vote approved an ordinance to set the mayor’s spending limit at $10,000, except in an emergency. In an emergency, the mayor can spend more than $10,000, but the town council must ratify the purchase at their next regular meeting.
Resident Michelle Cunningham, who served on the Century Charter Review Committee, questioned the $10,000 spending limits because the citizen advisory committee had recommended a limit of $5,000. The council scrapped the charter committee’s recommendations and placed their own amendments on the November ballot.
The ordinance that was approved also included a policy requiring two signatures on all checks – generally the mayor, acting mayor, council president and either the town clerk or deputy clerk. A town check will not be valid without the signature of one authorized elected official and one authorized administrative officer or designated replacement for financial oversight.
Also on Tuesday night, interim town manager Howard Brown also discussed the need for two new positions, a town administrator, and a financial services director. The council took no formal action; Brown will bring recommendations and information back to a future council meeting.
Gomez was not present at the meeting and was said to be on vacation.
Pictured top: Century interim town manager Howard Brown brought a mayoral spending limit increase to the Century Town Council Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Century resident Michelle Cunningham questioned the amount of the spending limit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “Century Ups Mayor’s Spending Limit By 4,900% As Resident Questions Amount”
The few people(5) I talked to from Century said they voted no and so did the people they talked to. Maybe voting fraud?
It’s kind of like the prichatd ala.water board, as long as I can remember century city leadership has not done a good job,there has always been bad management. The county of Escambia needs to takeover.
A population under 1,800 but the Mayor’s spending limit is now that high? They thought they had financial issues before…..
Now that’s more slippery than a greased pig. Perhaps the chamber can host an event trying to catch the little squealing runt.
An important Air Conditioning replacement /repair will be more than $5000.00.
lift station pumps, equipment repairs all are high dollar repairs that at times need to be handled quickly. While I am not a fan of Century’s management this is 2024.
Of course, there should be away to ensure the mayor or future mayors don’t get greedy.
This not only effects Louie but future Mayor’s also.
$10,000 may or may not be to much but $200 was inline with the 1940’s.
Spending money they dont even have…
Feds should check this town out.
On vacation with his new money account
Residents of Century should have thought about it when they approved this via the election last month.
I wish the town residents would get their butts up and go to a the town meeting. Speak up like this lady did. She needs support from the people.and maybe your town will survive. But sitting back and not doing anything is a disgrace on you for not speaking up.If you are scare of the Mayor and the Council members just call the Law and let them know. It’s sound like they are trying to get every penny they can because no one is going to say a word and they can get by with it. “Speak up Residents”
Gomez not present to pitch for his increased spending ability? Should have been a no vote.