By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With the intent of streamlining spending processes and offering greater flexibility in emergency situations, City Manager Cameron Clapper could be granted greater oversight on the types of purchases made at city hall as part of an ordinance that is under consideration.
The Common Council on April 9 heard the first reading of the ordinance, would includes a provision Clapper and any of his successors have the authority to make purchases of up to $25,000 without obtaining authority from the elected body.
Currently, that dollar figure is capped at $10,000.
The ordinance, scheduled for final adoption at the council’s meeting next Tuesday, April 21, ties into a two-year-old policy concerning the procurement of goods and services.
Clapper said the formal ordinance brings it “in line with the previously approved policy.”
The ordinance lifting spending authority and the overall procurement policy are designed to provide more flexibility in decision-making as emergency situations arise.
But there are a number of caveats within the proposed ordinance.
For example, the city manager cannot dip into reserve dollars in the city’s contingency account to make any purchases, regardless of the dollar amount, without first securing council approval.
Language in the procurement policy states, the city manager will “provide reasonable assurance that the lowest cost, highest quality good or service is obtained, while balancing the need for flexibility in department operations.”
The procurement policy also states all purchases of goods and services beyond $25,000 will still require council approval. Another provision calls on city staffers to obtain quotes from at least three different contractors in purchases beyond $25,000.
