Pennsylvania § 14951 - Procedure for approval.

§ 14951. Procedure for approval.

(a) Counties with controller.--In counties having a controller:

(1) The controller shall date, upon receipt, all bills, claims and demands that the controller approves and shall forward the bills, claims or demands along with checks to the county commissioners for approval or, if already approved by the county commissioners, for signatures under this section.

(2) If the county commissioners approve payment of a bill, claim or demand, at least two county commissioners shall sign the check as properly drawn upon the county treasury. In these cases facsimiles of the signatures of the county commissioners may be used.

(3) The bill, claim or demand shall be returned to the controller for filing in the controller's office, and the check shall be forwarded to the county treasurer.

(4) The county treasurer shall sign the check as the treasurer's draft upon the county treasury, but the treasurer shall not sign a check that is not already signed by the county commissioners and the controller.

(5) Every check issued shall include reference to the corresponding bill, claim or demand as well as the number or numbers which may be put upon it by the county treasurer.

(6) If the county commissioners refuse to approve a bill, claim or demand, the county commissioners shall return the bill, claim or demand, together with the check involved to the controller for filing in the controller's office.

(b) Counties without controller.--In counties without a controller:

(1) The county commissioners shall approve each transaction.

(2) The check shall be drawn by the chief clerk who shall keep files of the bills, claims or demands.

(3) At least two county commissioners shall sign the checks either personally or by facsimile.

(4) The checks shall be forwarded, together with a check register or similar description of the corresponding bill, claim or demand providing a clear description of the nature and purpose of the expenditure, to the county treasurer for the treasurer's signature.

(c) Filing.--In all cases, the canceled checks or official bank record shall be filed in the office of the county treasurer, but the treasurer shall transmit, at times the controller shall establish, a list of all checks paid from the county treasury not previously transmitted, along with appropriate identification.

(d) Facsimile signature.--The county treasurer and the controller in counties with a controller may use a facsimile signature on a check which the county treasurer and controller are required to sign.

(e) Effect of section.--Nothing in this section shall preclude the receipt or transfer of money to or from the county, or payment of a bill, claim or demand, by electronic fund transfer if adequate and recognized fiscal and procedural controls, together with proper system security, are in place.