Fortuna council adopts updated purchasing ordinance, citing alignment with charter-city law

The Fortuna City Council on Oct. 20 adopted Ordinance 2025-777, revising Chapter 2.5 (purchase of supplies, equipment and contractual services) of the Fortuna Municipal Code to align the city's purchasing rules with current law applicable to charter cities.

City staff told the council the city's purchasing regulations were last substantially revised in 1997 and that the city contracted with Claire Gibson, a specialist in contract and procurement law, to review and recommend updates. Staff said those recommendations were presented at the council's Oct. 6 meeting and that the ordinance implements those changes.

The council took no public comment on the ordinance and proceeded with a second reading and adoption by roll call. Council member Connolly voted yea; Council member Diaz, Council member Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent and Mayor Johnson each answered yes when the city clerk called the roll, yielding a unanimous 5-0 adoption.

Council members did not ask additional substantive questions during the Oct. 20 hearing. The ordinance was also determined to be exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act, per the staff report.

The ordinance replaces the existing purchasing rules in the municipal code and, according to staff, is intended to bring Fortuna's internal procedures into alignment with legal standards for charter cities and to modernize procurement practice.

City staff indicated the topic was reviewed in detail at the prior meeting and offered to revisit any provision at a future meeting if the council requests further clarification.