§ 2-101. Emergency purchases.

(a)

Generally. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this division, emergency purchases of goods and services may be made in the event of a disruption of essential operations caused by a natural or manmade event or civil unrest, or when there exists a potential or actual threat to the public's health, welfare or safety requiring disaster preparedness, or when the protection or preservation of public property (collectively referred to as an "emergency") would not be possible through normal purchasing procedures; provided that such emergency purchases shall be made with such competition as is practical and practicable under the circumstances. A written determination of the basis for the emergency purchase and why a particular vendor was selected shall be prepared and filed accordingly.

(b)

Authority.

(1)

In an emergency which requires immediate purchase of goods and/or services, which are not expected to exceed $100,000.00, the purchasing director or county administrator shall have the authority to secure or cause to be secured, at the lowest obtainable and reasonable price(s), the goods and/or services necessary to alleviate the emergency.

(2)

The county administrator, may also authorize the expenditure of more than $100,000.00 when deemed in the best interest of the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the county to alleviate the emergency.

(3)

In an emergency which requires immediate purchase of goods and/or services, which are not expected to exceed $100,000.00 for legal-related expenditures required by his/her office and for expenditures related to the operation of his/her office, the county attorney shall have the authority to secure or cause to be secured at the lowest obtainable and reasonable price(s), the goods and/or services necessary to alleviate the emergency encountered by his/her office. The county attorney, upon the advice and consent of the board chair, may also authorize the expenditure of more than $100,000.00 when deemed in the best interest of the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the county or for the operations of his/her office.

(4)

All emergency purchases that exceed $100,000.00 shall be reported at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board of county commissioners, if possible, but no later than the second regularly scheduled meeting of the board of county commissioners following the date of the emergency purchase.

(c)

Emergency procedure. The purchasing director, pursuant to section 2-95(d)(3), shall prescribe by policy under which emergency purchases by heads of using agencies may be made.

(Ord. No. 15-26, § 2, 12-15-15; Ord. No. 18-16, § 4, 6-5-18)