The Jones County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 approved the first reading of a procurement text amendment that would award up to 25 preference points to qualified local bidders in county procurements, county staff said.

Jason, a county staff member, told the board the draft incorporates a 25-point local preference for qualified bidders and adds a tie-breaker provision in case two bids receive equal points. The policy would not apply to procurements using state or federal funding, Jason said.

The board voted to approve the first reading; staff said the amendment will return for a second reading at the next meeting as required for ordinance changes. No vote tally was recorded in the transcript for the first-reading motion beyond the board approval and a plan to return for the second reading.

Commissioner Kitchens and others had discussed the amendment at prior meetings and offered the revised language to reflect the recommended point value and the tie-breaker provision.

The policy language is on page 12 of the meeting packet, staff said. Commissioners asked no substantive changes at the first reading and moved the amendment forward for the required second reading and public notice.