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Supervisors approve updated purchasing policy and raise purchasing-agent contract authority to $75,000
Summary
The Board voted to update its Purchasing, Leasing and Contracting Policy and to raise the purchasing agent’s signatory authority from $50,000 to $75,000 (conservative adjustment below CPI-updated threshold). The board also approved accompanying policy clarifications on competitive procurement thresholds and administrative efficiencies.
On Oct. 7 the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved an amended county purchasing ordinance and an updated Purchasing, Leasing and Contracting Policy (Policy 1) that raises the purchasing agent’s contract signatory authority from $50,000 to $75,000 and modernizes procurement procedures.
County staff explained the $50,000 government-code threshold dates to 2003; applying the Consumer Price Index to 2003–2025 yields an adjusted figure near $89,151 but staff recommended a conservative increase to $75,000 to maintain flexibility while remaining below an inflation-adjusted ceiling. The policy revisions add definitions, clarify delegated authority to department heads, incorporate IT review in purchases of goods and services, streamline the documentation of exceptions to competitive bidding in the county’s procurement system (Cobblestone) and add procedural clarity about auto-renewing contract clauses and retroactive agreements.
Deputy County Counsel Matthew Kudrowski said several edits were clarifying and aligned the ordinance with existing state law; the changes will also allow the purchasing agent to execute licenses permitting public agencies to use county property in some routine situations. Staff said the second reading of the ordinance will be returned to the board at the next meeting and that the policy resolution adopting Policy 1’s changes is planned for Nov. 18.
Supervisors expressed support for the change and thanked staff for the multi-year effort to finalize Policy 1. The motion to approve the ordinance updates and to move forward with the policy changes carried unanimously.
