Commission approves increased spending on out-of-city auto-body vendor; staff says bid process forthcoming

The commission approved a consent-item amendment to increase the annual expenditure cap for an auto-body vendor used by the city, while staff said they plan a formal competitive bid next year. Commissioner Kelly pulled the consent item to ask why the city uses an out-of-city vendor—Vinnie's Auto Body in Lake Worth—rather than prioritizing Boynton Beach businesses. City procurement staff explained a recent change in procurement oversight clarified that the prior practice of separate departmental $50,000 thresholds had resulted in cumulative spend above vendor thresholds. Procurement staff said they are capping spend per vendor at $50,000 to meet the city’s procurement policy and that this particular increase was to finish required work for the rest of the year. "We do anticipate going out for a bid... we will look at, potentially using other body shops in the area," a staff member said, and added the city had used local shops as well but that this vendor's pricing was advantageous and saved the city money on specific repairs. Commissioner Kelly said she preferred using City-based businesses when feasible and asked staff to prioritize local vendors when the bid process begins. The commission approved the consent item by unanimous vote. Staff said they will pursue a formal solicitation for collision and body repairs in the coming procurement cycle and will consider in-city vendors as part of that process.