By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- Requiring that purchases be approved before purchase orders are issued could be a "substantial step toward avoiding layoffs and/or reduction of services to our citizens," Commissioner Jack L. Teter Sr., R-Edwardsburg, proposed Thursday.
In light of the county's budget problems for the balance of the 2003 fiscal year and problems anticipated in 2004, "the necessity for fiscal responsibility is absolutely essential," Teter said.
In a handout to his fellow board members, Teter related that while processing claims last week, "I became aware that we as commissioners are doing nothing to control the day-to-day spending of our county. We simply approve the expenditures after the fact. In other words, there is nothing we can do after the purchases are made, except to pay the bills."
Requiring purchase approval before purchase orders are issued Teter assumed would be "hard to do. Then I found that our governor has directed the entire state to do the exact same thing I have in mind. If our state government can do this, we in Cass County can certainly to it."
Teter recommended that the Board of Commissioners place a moratorium on buying supplies, materials, equipment and printing financed with county funds, effective immediately, until further notice.
The claims chairman would handle these appointments.
Any purchase request submitted would be required to have a written justification and recommendation from the department head to be considered for approval.
No purchases would be allowed without prior approval of the board's purchase approval committee.
Exceptions to the moratorium imposed would be permitted only if these five criteria apply: