TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Jeffrey Yates, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Tiffany Murray Chief Financial Officer
DATE: January 12, 2026
RE:Title
Adopt Revised Resolution to Appointment Deputy Finance Officers for the Purpose of Signing Purchase Orders, Checks, Contracts and Agreements.Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All Districts
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal V: Fayetteville will have unity of purpose and sustainable capacity across the organization to ensure strong financial management with fiduciary accountability and plan for future resource sustainability by aligning resources with City priorities
Executive Summary:
City Council is requested to appoint designated staff as deputy finance officers for the purpose of signing the pre-audit certificate on purchase orders, contracts, and agreements; authorizing them to sign checks; and allowing them to act as designees in the Chief Financial Officer’s absence. This action amends a previously adopted resolution to include signing checks.
Background:
North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 159-28 of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act specifies that no obligation may be incurred unless an appropriation has been authorized, and an unencumbered balance remains sufficient to pay the obligation. If the obligation is in writing, the contract, agreement, or purchase order must include a pre-audit certificate confirming compliance with this requirement. The pre-audit certificate must be signed by the finance officer or a deputy finance officer approved by the governing board.
Additionally, NCGS 159-25 authorizes the governing board to designate deputy finance officers to perform duties of the finance officer, including the signing of checks, as necessary to ensure continuity of financial operations.
On February 12, 2018, City Council approved Resolution 2018-014, appointing the Purchasing Manager and the Special Assistant to the City Manager as deputy finance officers for the purpose of signing pre-audit certificates. These positions no longer require or perform this function.
On November 10, 2025, City Council approved Resolution R 2025-040, to Appointment Deputy Finance Officers for the Purpose of Signing Certain Purchase Orders, Contracts and Agreements. To ensure the City of Fayetteville’s financial operations can be achieved efficiently, the Assistant CFO - Procurement and the Assistant CFO - Financial Reporting were designated as Deputy Finance Officers. This item revise Resolution 2025-040 to Appointment Deputy Finance Officers for the Purpose of Signing Purchase Orders, Checks, Contracts and Agreements, expanding the scope of authority to include the signing of checks.
Issues/Analysis:
Allowing the Assistant CFO - Procurement and Assistant CFO - Financial Reporting to execute pre-audit certificates and sign checks, as well as act as designees in the CFO’s absence, will improve efficiency, ensure continuity of financial operations, and strengthen internal controls within the City’s finance function.
Budget Impact:
None
Options:
• Adopt the resolution designating the Assistant CFO - Procurement and Assistant CFO - Financial Reporting as deputy finance officers for the purpose of signing purchase orders, contracts, agreements, and checks, and acting as designees in the CFO’s absence;
• Amend the resolution; or
• Do not adopt the resolution and provide guidance to staff
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Adopt the resolution designating the Assistant CFO - Procurement and Assistant CFO - Financial Reporting as deputy finance officers for the purpose of signing purchase orders, contracts, agreements, and checks, and acting as designees in the Chief Financial Officer’s absence.
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Attachments:
Resolution Deputy CFO