(a) All purchases and contracts for the city, its departments, board, and agencies, for materials and supplies shall be executed by the Clerk, under the direction of the City Manager, and shall be only pursuant to a written requisition from the City Manager, and no contract or order shall be issued to any vendor unless there is a sufficient and unencumbered appropriation balance in the budget to pay for the supplies, materials, equipment, or contractual services for which the contract or order is to be issued. He shall also conduct all sales of personal property which the Council may authorize to be sold as having become unnecessary or unfit for the city's use.
(b) All purchases and sales shall conform to such regulations as the Council may from time to time prescribe, but in either case, if an amount in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) is involved opportunity for competition shall be given and contracts given to the lowest responsible bidder who shall be deemed competent to do the work required, or to furnish the goods or materials required, and who shall give adequate security for the fulfillment of such contract.
(c) Under the direction of and with the assistance of the City Manager, the Clerk shall:
1. Establish and enforce specifications with respect to supplies, materials, and equipment required by the city government.
2. Inspect or supervise the inspection of all deliveries of supplies, materials, and equipment and determine their quality, quantity, and conformance with specifications; and
3. The City Manager shall have charge of the general storerooms and warehouses of the city.