Galesburg City Council approved a measure Thursday afternoon that gives the City Manager and Mayor special authority for the next 30 days.
The ordinance gives purchasing, personnel and permitting flexibility to the two city heads, making it easier for government services to continue if key figures become incapacitated.
City Manager Todd Thompson says the ordinance does have safeguards for transparency; aldermen will get weekly updates and if the mayor used emergency powers those actions would be subject to review by the council at their next meeting.
Aldermen Larry Cox expressed some reservations about the ordinance but joined other members in 5-0-1.
Corrine Andersen was not in attendance, and Peter Schwartzman teleconferenced in by abstained because of difficulties hearing discussion on the measure.
