The City Manager shall be the City purchasing agent. The City purchasing agent shall perform all duties required of a department head by law and shall have the powers and duties set forth in this chapter.
(a) Scope of Purchasing Authority. The agent shall have the power and it shall be his or her duty to:
(1) Purchase or contract for all supplies and contractual services needed by any using agency which derives its support wholly or in part from the City, in accordance with purchasing procedures as prescribed by this chapter and such rules and regulations as are prescribed by the agent and Council; and
(2) Negotiate all purchases for using agencies which authority shall not be abridged by excepting any particular using agency.
(b) Other Powers and Duties. In addition to the purchasing authority conferred in subsection (a) hereof, and in addition to any other powers and duties conferred by this chapter, the purchasing agent shall:
(1) Procure for the City the highest quality in supplies and contractual services at the least expense to the City;
(2) Discourage uniform bidding and endeavor to obtain as full and open competition as possible on all purchases and sales;
(3) Establish and amend, when necessary, all rules and regulations authorized by this chapter, as prescribed in subsection (a) hereof, and any others necessary to its operation;
(4) Keep informed of current developments in the field of purchasing, prices, market conditions, and new products. Secure for the City the benefits of research done in the field of purchasing by other governmental jurisdictions, national technical societies, trade associations having national recognition, and private businesses and organizations;
(5) Prescribe and maintain such forms as are reasonably necessary to the operation of this chapter;
(6) Investigate and exploit the possibilities of buying in bulk so as to take full advantage of discounts;
(7) Procure for the City all Federal tax exemptions to which it is entitled;
(8) Cooperate with the Finance Director, if such office is created pursuant to Section 226.01, or, alternatively, with the Treasurer, so as to secure for the City the maximum efficiency in budgeting and accounting; and
(9) Have the authority to declare vendors who default on their quotations to be irresponsible bidders and to disqualify them for receiving any business from the Municipality for a stated period of time.
(c) Unauthorized Purchases. Except as provided in this chapter, no City officer, department head, or any other employee shall order the purchase of any supplies or make any contract within the purview of this chapter other than through the purchasing agent, and any purchase ordered or contract made contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall not be approved by City officials, and the City shall not be bound thereby.
(Ord. 2016-01. Passed 4-11-16.)