(a) If the municipality has established the position of Administrator as provided by Ohio R.C. 735.271, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the Administrator shall make contracts, purchase supplies and materials, and provide labor for any work under the Administrator’s supervision involving not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00). When an expenditure, other than the compensation of persons employed by the municipality, exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), the expenditure shall first be authorized and directed by ordinance of the Council. When so authorized and directed, except where the contract is for equipment, services, materials, or supplies to be purchased under Ohio R.C. 125.04, 713.23(D), or 5513.01 or available from a qualified nonprofit agency pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4115.31 through 4115.35, or required to be purchased from a qualified nonprofit agency under Ohio R.C. 125.60 through 125.6012, the Administrator shall make a written contract with the lowest and best bidder after advertisement for not less than two nor more than four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipality. The bids shall be opened and shall be publicly read by the Administrator or a person designated by the Administrator at the time, date and place specified in the advertisement to bidders or specifications. The time, date and place of bid openings may be extended to a later date by the Administrator, provided that written or oral notice of the change shall be given to all persons who have received or requested specifications no later than 96 hours prior to the original time and date fixed for the opening. All contracts shall be executed in the name of the municipality and signed on its behalf by the Administrator and the Fiscal Officer.
(b) The Council may provide, by ordinance, for central purchasing for all offices, departments, divisions, boards, and commissions of the municipality, under the direction of the Administrator who shall make contracts, purchase supplies or materials, and provide labor for any work of the municipality in the manner provided by this section.
(ORC 731.141) (Am. Ord. 2012-18, passed 12-3-2012)