Spending limits without board of supervisors approval increased to $5,000

Spending limits for all Jasper County department heads — except for secondary roads — have been increased from $2,000 to $5,000, which means so long as they stay below the maximum amount they do not need the approval from the board of supervisors to complete their purchase.

The board of supervisors on Oct. 14 approved an increase in spending limits in a 3-0 vote. However, the secondary roads department is not get affected by the increase. Secondary roads manages a large budget with equally large expenses; therefore its spending limit without board approval is $30,000.

Supervisor Brandon Talsma said the topic of department head spending limits was discussed at a previous work session. The spending limits for buildings and grounds, senior nutrition, general assistance, human resources, information systems and community development had not been altered since 2010.

“All other department heads will have the authority to spend up to $5,000 without having to put something on our agenda for approval,” Talsma said.