The accounting records of the City shall consist of not less than the following:
1. Books of Original Entry. There shall be established and maintained books of original entry to provide a chronological record of cash received and disbursed.
2. General Ledger. There shall be established and maintained a general ledger controlling all cash transactions, budgetary accounts and for recording unappropriated surpluses.
3. Checks. Checks shall be prenumbered and, following Council approval, signed in accordance with the following, except as provided by subsection 5 hereof.
A. Payroll checks shall be signed by the Finance Director and the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem or City Administrator. Each check must be signed by any combination of the aforementioned that included one elected and one appointed official. Checks may be electronic in nature.
B. Other checks shall be signed by the Finance Director and Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem. Checks may be electronic in nature.
4. Budget Accounts. There shall be established such individual accounts to record receipts by source and expenditures by program and activity as will provide adequate information and control for budgeting purposes as planned and approved by the Council. Each individual account shall be maintained within its proper fund and so kept that receipts can be immediately and directly compared with revenue estimates and expenditures can be related to the authorizing appropriation. No expenditure shall be posted except to the appropriation for the function and purpose for which the expense was incurred.
5. Immediate Payment Authorized. The Council may by resolution authorize the Finance Director to issue checks for immediate payment of amounts due, which if not paid promptly would result in loss of discount, penalty for late payment or additional interest cost. Any such payments made shall be reported to the Council for review and approval with and in the same manner as other claims at the next meeting following such payment. The resolution authorizing immediate payment shall specify the type of payment so authorized and may include but is not limited to payment of utility bills, contractual obligations, payroll and bond principal and interest.
6. Utilities. The Finance Director shall perform and be responsible for accounting functions of the municipally owned utilities.