(A) Issuance of warrant. Money may be paid out of the city treasury only on warrant of the City Clerk-Treasurer. Unless provided otherwise by state law, the Clerk-Treasurer may draw a warrant against a fund of a city only if an appropriation has been made for that purpose, the appropriation is not exhausted, and:
(1) The warrant is for a salary fixed by statute or ordinance;
(2) The warrant is for a claim allowed under division (D) below of this section;
(3) He or she is ordered to issue the warrant under division (B) below of this section;
(4) The warrant is for payment of a judgment that the city must pay; or
(5) The warrant is for interest due on city bonds.
(1992 Code, § 3.12.010)
(B) Approval of order for issuance.
(1) A city board or the City Council may order the issuance of warrants for payment of money by the city only at a meeting of the board or City Council.
(2) A city officer who violates this section forfeits his or her office pursuant to I.C. 36-4-8-3.
(1992 Code, § 3.12.020)
(C) Audit and investigation of claims.
(1) The Clerk-Treasurer may audit a claim against the city by examining under oath any officer, agent or employee of the city or any other person. When acting under this section, the Clerk-Treasurer has the same powers as the City Council in summoning and examining witnesses.
(2) If the Clerk-Treasurer finds that:
(a) The claim includes an item for which no appropriation has been made;
(b) There is not a sufficient balance for payment of the claim in the proper fund; or
(c) The claim should not be approved for any reason;
he or she may not issue warrants to pay the claim and he or she shall notify the proper department of the reasons for his or her refusal to pay the claim.
(1992 Code, § 3.12.030)
(D) Approval of claim.
(1) A city board or the City Council may allow a claim:
(a) Only at a meeting of the board or City Council; and
(b) Only if the claim was filed in the manner prescribed by I.C. 5-11-10-2.
(2) A city officer who violates this section forfeits his or her office pursuant to I.C. 36-4-8-5.
(1992 Code, § 3.12.040)
(E) Prerequisites for approval of claim. A warrant for payment of a claim against the city may be
issued only if the claim is:
(1) Itemized and certified under I.C. 5-11-10-1;
(2) Approved by the officer or person receiving the goods or services;
(3) Filed with the Clerk-Treasurer;
(4) Audited and approved by the Clerk-Treasurer; and
(5) Allowed by the City Council or the city board having jurisdiction over allowance of the claim.
(1992 Code, § 3.12.050)
Statutory reference:
Warrants to be drawn by city fiscal officer, see I.C. 36-4-8-2
Cross-reference:
City Clerk-Treasurer designated as fiscal officer, see § 31.02