Finance Committee reviews procurement policy update; budget-control policy to set thresholds

The Dodge County Finance Committee reviewed an updated procurement policy but did not take action; county staff said the policy will return for formal approval together with a new budget-control policy that will contain the specific dollar thresholds and tables removed from the draft procurement document.

Staff explained the existing change removes content formerly known as “rule 30” from the procurement policy and will place threshold schedules (for budgeted and unbudgeted purchases) in the budget-control policy. The procurement policy will focus on procurement process and procedures, while the budget-control policy will govern how purchases are funded and when items must be brought to the county board.

Committee members asked about the current $200,000 threshold that triggers county board approval. Staff said that threshold remains in place now but that some supervisors and department directors have suggested raising or removing it; staff said those threshold details will be addressed in the budget-control policy. Members also raised that public-works and highway projects are treated differently under state statute and that the budget-control policy should clarify how paving and highway projects are handled.

Staff said one table (for certain unbudgeted purchases) had been removed from the procurement draft and will be restored, in revised form, in the budget-control policy. The procurement update was presented for review, with a planned future return for joint approval with the budget-control policy.