The Municipality may, within the amounts and items appropriated by the Council, make purchases and enter into contracts on behalf of the Municipality involving expenditures for the whole of any authorized project, asset or service not in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) without competitive bidding, except as may otherwise be provided by ordinance of the Council. No purchase or contract involving an expenditure of more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) shall be made except with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, or with the lowest and best bidder, as determined by Council after public advertising and receipt of bids in the manner set forth by ordinance; provided, however, that the Council may authorize contracts without advertising for bids for personal services, for the acquisition of real estate, 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 the Council may authorize a purchase or a contract involving an expenditure of more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) without advertising for bids if it determines and declares by an affirmative vote of not less than five (5) members that an emergency exists and sets forth the nature of the emergency in its resolution or ordinance.
(Amended by voters 5-4-99; 11-3-09; 11-5-19) (Ord. 2019-39. Passed 12-9-19.)