(a) The city’s purchases order form will be the certificate of the fiscal officer as required by R.C. § 5705.41. The purchase order form may be used for all types of certificates required and shall not require additional or different assertions for a standard, blanket, super blanket, “then and now” or any other certificate. In order to be a valid certificate, the purchase order must have the electronic or written approval of both the City Manager and Finance Director. Approval may be made by their designee.
(b) If no certificate is furnished before a contract is made or any order given involving the expenditure of money as required, the approved purchase order shall substitute for a “then and now” certificate without any additional assertion; provided that, the amount involved is less than the City Manager’s purchasing authority amount authorized by Council under § 5.04(J)(1) of the City Charter. Any amount above the Council designated amount will require approval by Council within 60 days after the purchase order is issued. This would apply for any emergency purchase or contract where a purchase is necessary due to an attack, disaster or emergency defined under R.C. § 5502.21. An emergency would also include safeguarding city facilities or equipment to avoid loss or negligent liability. The City Manager’s purchasing authority limit may be suspended upon a declared attack, disaster or emergency determined by the City Manager provided that Councilmembers are given notification of the emergency and the need to suspend the purchasing authority limit. The aggregate maximum amount expended on each emergency event shall not exceed $500,000 unless authorized by Council action. Reports to Council will be completed within 60 days after the emergency to authorize the purchase incurred during an attack, disaster or emergency response.
(c) Blanket and super blanket purchase orders allowed by R.C. § 5705.41 may be extended up to 90 days after the fiscal year to pay for orders and invoice that are paid in the current fiscal year using the appropriation of the prior year. More than one certificate for a blanket or super blanket for a specific line-item appropriation account may be outstanding at the same time.
(Ord. 2013-72, passed 8-12-2013)