(A) No contracts for services, material or labor for enlargement or improvement costing over $20,000 shall be made unless it is first approved by the City Council.
(B) Before the City Council shall make any contract in excess of $20,000 for general improvements, such as water extensions, sewer, public heating systems, bridges or work on streets, or any other work or improvement where the cost of such improvement shall be assessed to the property, an estimate of the cost thereof shall be made by the City Engineer and submitted to the Council. No contract shall be entered into for any such work or improvement, or for the purchase of such equipment, for any price exceeding $20,000 without advertising for bids.
(C) A municipal electrical utility may enter into a contract for any such work or improvement or for the purchase of such equipment without advertising for bids if the:
(1) Price is $20,000 or less;
(2) Price is $40,000 or less and the municipal electric utility has gross annual revenue from retail sales in excess of $1,000,000; or
(3) Price is $60,000 or less and the municipal electric utility has gross annual revenue from retail sales in excess of $5,000,000.
(D) In advertising for bids of any such work, or for the purchase of such equipment, the Council shall cause the amount of such estimate to be published therewith. Such advertisement shall be published at least ten days in some legal newspaper of general circulation published in the city. In case of a public emergency resulting from infectious or contagious diseases, destructive windstorms, floods, snow, war or an exigency or pressing necessity or unforeseen need calling for immediate action or remedy to prevent a serious loss of or serious injury or damage to life, health or property, estimate of costs and advertising for bids may be waived in the emergency ordinance when adopted by a three-fourths vote of the Council and entered on record.
(E) If, after advertising for bids as provided in this section, the governing body receives fewer than two bids on a contract for any work or improvement, or if the bids received by the City Council contain a price which exceeds the estimated cost of the project, the governing body shall have the authority to negotiate a contract in an attempt to complete the proposed project at a cost commensurate with the estimate given.
(F) The municipal bidding procedure shall be waived when materials or equipment are purchased at the same price and from the same seller as materials or equipment which have formerly been obtained pursuant to the state bidding procedures.
(2005 Code, § 1-926)