Logo courtesy of the City of Biggs

BIGGS, CA (MPG) - The Biggs City Council approved three policy updates during its April 28 meeting, including a shift to electronic bill payments, a clarification on how council votes are recorded and changes to the city’s travel reimbursement rules.

The council unanimously supported a new accounts payable policy allowing the city to issue payments through Automated Clearing House, or ACH, instead of relying almost entirely on paper checks. City Administrator Nicolas Gauthier said the change keeps the city’s oversight process intact, including dual signatures, documentation and printed records, while reducing delays caused by mailed checks.

“No change in outcome, just change in how we got to that outcome,” he said.

Councilmember Anita Wilks backed the update, calling it “a great idea.”

She said many agencies are moving away from paper checks and that electronic payments help avoid problems when checks are lost or delayed in the mail. The council agreed the shift would reduce staff time spent tracking down missing payments and would help vendors receive funds more quickly.

In a separate action, the council adopted amendments to its policies and procedures to clarify how votes are recorded. Gauthier said the current rules do not explain why a member steps aside during a vote, which has created confusion for both the council and the public.

“There’s kind of a lack of clarification in regards to how the council votes yes, no or abstain,” he said.

The update adds a new option, not voting, to distinguish between abstaining due to a conflict of interest and choosing not to vote for another reason, such as lack of information. Gauthier said the change gives council members a clearer way to step aside when they do not wish to participate in a vote but do not have a conflict. The policy also clarifies that members may abstain when a conflict is real or perceived, allowing them to avoid participating when a situation raises concerns.

The council also approved amendments to the city’s travel reimbursement policy. The update requires prior council approval for official travel not covered by an association with the city and costing more than $450. It also requires receipts to be submitted within 10 business days of returning to the city. Gauthier said the changes are intended to ensure consistent documentation and provide clearer oversight of larger travel expenses.

All three policy updates were approved without objection.