(A) Generally. All vending machines, food service operations, or other concessions to be placed and operated in any building or on any property owned or occupied by any department or agency of the county shall be secured through a process of competitive bidding, if it is to the advantage of the county to do so. Exception: Elected officials may allow the placement at their offices of vending machines purchased or leased with employee funds, or donated to the office, and so long as public funds are not used to purchase, lease, or stock the machines, the revenues therefrom are not county funds, and may be disbursed as directed by the elected official or his or her designee.
(B) Installation/commission basis. Unless specifically excepted by County Council, no vending machine, pay telephone, or other concession device shall be purchased by the county. Subject to the exception stated in division (A) above, all concessions shall be placed and operated on the basis that the vendor installs, maintains, and stocks the machines and pays a commission to the county.
(C) Disposition of commissions. Subject to the exception in division (A) above, all commissions earned from any concession on county property shall be deposited with the County Treasurer through the Finance Department, to be credited to the General Fund except as otherwise designated by County Council.
(D) Applicability. This section shall apply to all property owned or leased by the county, including but not limited to the Administration Buildings, Courthouses, Sheriff's office, Emergency Communications Center, Detention Center, Public Works Center, environmental solid waste disposal sites, or any other property occupied by any county department or agency.
(E) Exemptions. This section shall not apply to any concession granted to a blind person or to the State Commission for the Blind pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Code § 43-25-70, as amended. The County Administrator may grant individual concessions to any handicapped person in preference to any other nonhandicapped person submitting a bid under this chapter. This section shall not apply to concessions operated on property leased by the county to any other person, firm, corporation, or agency.
(Ord. 01-02-04, passed 1-7-2004)