The Council may authorize, in specific cases, expenditures of the funds of the City in amounts exceeding the Ohio Revised Code bid limits which currently are $15,000, without public bidding, for the acquisition of real estate, for the discharge of non-contractual claims against the City, for personal services, for the joint use of facilities or exercise of powers with other political subdivisions, or for the product or services of public utilities (including those municipally operated and any provider of local or long distance telephone service) but no other expenditure exceeding the Ohio Revised Code bidding limits shall be made except pursuant to contract made with the lowest and best bidder after public advertising and receipt of bids in the manner provided by ordinance. (Amended 11-2-99.)