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Committee asks for EPP update after members flag county purchase of single-use water bottles
Summary
Committee members asked staff to bring the county’s annual environmentally preferred procurement (EPP) report in September after noting continued departmental use of single‑use water bottles that appears to contradict an earlier legislative resolution.
Members of the Planning, Energy and Environmental Quality Committee raised concerns on Aug. 11 about county purchasing practices that appear to conflict with the county’s environmentally preferred procurement (EPP) policy, and asked staff to bring the annual EPP report to September committee meeting.
"I've noticed that in the past year some departments have been providing single‑use water bottles, which is against a resolution that the legislature passed several years ago," said Amanda, a committee member, during the meeting’s latter portion.
Staff explained that EPP is embedded in the county’s purchasing policy and that an EPP team, which includes representatives from purchasing and other departments, meets monthly. Department staff said an annual EPP report for 2024 is ready and they will bring it to the committee in September, along with information on how EPP guidance is communicated to departments.
"Procurement policy. EPP is actually embedded into the county's purchasing policy," Kat, staff member, said. "The team does representation from various county departments, including a member from purchasing as well. We can bring the report forward in September."
Committee members suggested bringing purchasing and finance staff into the discussion to clarify messaging and enforcement so departments stop buying items that appear to conflict with county policy.
Why it matters: the EPP policy governs county purchasing decisions meant to reduce waste and support environmental goals. Committee members said turnover and lapses in communications may have led to inconsistent application of the policy and asked staff to present the annual report and suggest remedies.
What’s next: staff will present the EPP annual report at the September meeting and coordinate with Purchasing and Finance to clarify messaging and enforcement of the county’s resolution on single‑use water bottles and other single‑use items.
