(A) (1) The governing body shall, before making any contract in excess of $30,000, as estimated by the Village Engineer, for enlargement or general improvements such as water extensions, sewers, public heating system, bridges or work on streets, or any other work or improvement when the cost of such improvement shall be assessed to the property, advertise for bids unless such contract shall be entered into for the benefit of the village electric utility.
(2) A village electric utility may enter into a contract for any such work or improvement, or for the purchase of such equipment, without advertising for bids if:
(a) The price is $30,000 or less;
(b) The price is $60,000 or less and the village electric utility has a gross annual revenue from retail sales in excess of one million dollars;
(c) The price is $90,000 or less and the village electric utility has gross annual revenue from retail sales in excess of five million dollars; or
(d) The price is $120,000 or less and the village electric utility has gross annual revenue from retail sales in excess of ten million dollars.
(3) In advertising for bids for any such work, or for the purchase of such equipment, the governing body may cause the amount of such estimate to be published therewith.
(B) Such advertisement shall be published at least seven days prior to the bid closing in a legal newspaper in or of general circulation in the village. In case of a public emergency resulting from infectious or contagious diseases, destructive windstorms, floods, snow, war or any 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, estimates of costs and advertising for bids may be waived in the emergency ordinance authorized by Neb. RS 17-613 when adopted by a three-fourths vote of the governing body and entered of record.
(C) If, after advertising for bids as provided herein, the Board of Trustees receives fewer than two bids on a contract, or if the bids received by the Board of Trustees contain a price which exceeds the estimated cost of the project, the Board of Trustees shall have the authority to negotiate a contract for services, material or labor in an attempt to complete the proposed project at a cost commensurate with the estimate given.
(D) If materials are of such a nature that, in the opinion of the manufacturer and with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees, no cost can be estimated until the materials have been manufactured or assembled to the specific qualifications of the purchasing municipality, the Board of Trustees may authorize the manufacture and assemblage of such materials and may thereafter approve the estimated cost expenditure when it is provided by the manufacturer.
(E) The village biding 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 procedure.
(Neb. RS 17-568.01 and 17-613) (Ord. 653, passed 3-8-2021)