12-826.   Managing board of commissioners; payment of claims.The governing body of any city of the first or second class that owns awaterworks, fuel, power or lighting plant may provide by ordinance for thecreation of a board of commissioners, and fix their salaries, which boardshall operate said waterworks, fuel, power or lighting plant, or either,under such rules and regulations as the governing body may by ordinanceprescribe. In cities of the first class said board shall be composed of notless than three nor more than five persons; in cities of second class saidboard shall be composed of three persons.

      The bills incurred in operating said waterworks and light plants,itemized and verified as required by law in case of other claims againstthe city, shall be first presented to said board, and by said boardtabulated and certified to the city council, monthly, or when directed bythe council; and the council may, upon the allowance thereof, cause thewarrant therefor to be issued to said board; the amounts thereof, however,to be held by the city treasurer and paid out to the several claimants onthe written orders of said board, under the regulations of the council. Theoriginal claims, after the action of the council thereon, may, if thecouncil so directs, be returned to and preserved by said board: Provided,however, That the council may by ordinance prescribe procedures for saidboard to process the bills incurred and make allowance for payment bywarrant of the city drawn on the utility fund without approval andallowance by said council.

      History:   L. 1905, ch. 115, § 1; L. 1907, ch. 134, § 1; R.S.1923, § 12-826; L. 1974, ch. 59, § 1; March 4.