New Buying Power for City Staff Rejected

The council recently rejected a proposal that would have allowed the city manager and purchasing agent the authority to approve buying agreements of up to $50,000 without council approval.

City Manager James D. Ruth will continue to sign for purchases of up to $25,000. The purchasing agent has authority to approve deals of up to $20,000.

All city purchases in excess of $5,000 require seeking bids from competing companies.

City finance employees had proposed the changes to increase efficiency.

But Tom Tait, one of three council members opposing the proposal, said the council and public should be able to review expensive purchasing agreements. Mayor Tom Daly and Councilwoman Shirley S. McCracken voted in favor of the proposal.