City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE 1ST DEPUTY
COMPTROLLER TO ATTEND THE 2026 SMART CITIES
CONFERENCE IN NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND
Whereas, in correspondence dated August 13, 2026, the Comptroller formally requested authorization for the 1st Deputy Comptroller to attend and participate in the 2026 Smart Cities Conference, to be held September 22 through September 24, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland, including participation as a panelist in the Digital Transformation session; and
Whereas, the 1st Deputy Comptroller has been invited to serve as a panelist during the conference's Digital Transformation session, which will address the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on accounts payable operations; and
Whereas, the subject matter of the Digital Transformation session is particularly relevant to the City of Mount Vernon considering the recent increase in fraudulent and potentially fraudulent invoices, including the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to create increasingly sophisticated fraudulent documentation; and
Whereas, participation in the conference will provide the 1st Deputy Comptroller with an opportunity to share the City's experiences and practices, learn from other public-sector organizations, and identify technology, fraud prevention, and internal control practices that may strengthen the City's accounts payable processes; and
Whereas, attendance at the conference will further support the City's ongoing efforts to enhance financial controls, safeguard public funds, detect and prevent fraudulent activity, and utilize emerging technologies responsibly and effectively; and
Whereas, the conference organizers will cover the registration fee and travel expenses associated with the 1st Deputy Comptroller's participation; and
Whereas, the City's only anticipated expense in connection with such attendance is lodging, which shall not exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00); and
Whereas, the City Council finds that attendance and participation in the 2026 Smart Cities Conference is in the best interests of the City and will provide professional and educational benefit to the Office of the Comptroller and the City of Mount Vernon; now, therefore, be it
Section 1. Authorization to Attend Conference. The City Council of the City of Mount Vernon hereby authorizes the 1st Deputy Comptroller to attend and participate in the 2026 Smart Cities Conference, to be held September 22 through September 24, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland, including participation as a panelist in the Digital Transformation session.
Section 2. Conference Expenses. The conference registration fee and travel expenses for the 1st Deputy Comptroller shall be covered by the conference organizers. The City of Mount Vernon is authorized to incur lodging expenses associated with such attendance in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), subject to all applicable City policies, procedures, and fiscal controls.
Section 3. Funding. The expenditure authorized herein shall be charged to the appropriate account within the Office of the Comptroller's budget, subject to the availability of funds and all applicable rules and regulations governing municipal expenditures.
Section 4. Compliance with City Policies. All expenses incurred pursuant to this Ordinance shall be subject to applicable City of Mount Vernon travel, reimbursement, procurement, and financial control policies, as well as any applicable provisions of New York State law.
Section 5. Authorization of Necessary Actions. The Mayor, Comptroller, 1st Deputy Comptroller, and other appropriate City officials are hereby authorized to execute any documents and take any actions necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, subject to prior approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.
Board of Estimate and Contract:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
1ST DEPUTY COMPTROLLER TO ATTEND
THE SMART CITIES CONFERENCE
WHEREAS, the Office of the Comptroller has submitted a request for authorization for the 1st Deputy Comptroller to attend the Smart Cities Conference, to be held September 22-24, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland; and
WHEREAS, the 1st Deputy Comptroller has been invited to serve as a panelist during the conference’s Digital Transformation session, which will address the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on accounts payable operations; and
WHEREAS, the subject matter of the conference is particularly relevant to the City of Mount Vernon in light of the recent increase in fraudulent and potentially fraudulent invoices, including the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to create increasingly sophisticated fraudulent documentation; and
WHEREAS, participation in the conference will provide the 1st Deputy Comptroller with an opportunity to share the City's experiences, learn from other public-sector organizations, and identify technology, fraud-prevention, and internal-control practices that may strengthen the City's accounts payable processes; and
WHEREAS, the conference organizers have agreed to cover the registration fee and travel expenses associated with the 1st Deputy Comptroller's participation; and
WHEREAS, the City’s only anticipated expense is lodging, which shall not exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Estimate and Contract finds that the 1st Deputy Comptroller's participation in the Smart Cities Conference is in the best interests of the City and will further the City’s efforts to improve financial controls, protect public funds, and prevent fraudulent activity; now, therefore, be it
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION. The Board of Estimate and Contract of the City of Mount Vernon hereby authorizes the 1st Deputy Comptroller to attend and participate as a panelist at the Smart Cities Conference, to be held September 22-24, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland.
SECTION 2. CONFERENCE EXPENSES. The conference registration fee and travel expenses shall be covered by the conference organizers. The City is authorized to incur lodging expenses associated with the 1st Deputy Comptroller's attendance in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), subject to applicable City policies, procedures, and budgetary requirements.
Section 3. APPROPRIATION. All authorized expenditures associated with Mr. Morton’s attendance shall be charged to Appropriation Code A1030.402 - Travel, or such other appropriate budgetary account as may be determined by the Comptroller in accordance with the City’s budget and accounting procedures.
SECTION 4. PURPOSE. The attendance authorized herein shall support the City’s efforts to identify and implement effective technology, internal control, and fraud-prevention practices related to accounts payable operations, including measures to address fraudulent invoices and the emerging use of artificial intelligence and other technologies to facilitate financial fraud.
SECTION 5. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. All expenditures authorized pursuant to this Resolution shall be made in accordance with the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon, applicable laws, rules, regulations, and established City procurement and financial procedures.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract and subsequent adoption by the City Council.BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND CONTRACT:
A REQUEST AUTHORIZING THE
ATTACHED TRAVEL AND
TRAINING REQUEST FORM AND
APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
FOR
CONDELL HAMILTON, 1ST DEPUTY COMPTROLLER
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
TO ATTEND
THE SMART CITIES CONFERENCE
FROM
SEPTEMBER 22 - 24, 2026