(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 signed by the clerk following council approval, except as provided by subsection (5) of this section.

(4) Budget Accounts. There shall be established such individual accounts to record receipts by source and expenditures by program, subprogram 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 clerk 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 clerk shall perform and be responsible for accounting functions of the municipally owned utilities. [Code 1975 § 1-1.0409.]