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Purchasing Department budget stays largely flat; DocuSign contract, ARPA-funded post drawn questions
Summary
New Bedford’s purchasing department presented a nearly level FY26 budget with one fewer position (an ARPA-funded role), ongoing DocuSign subscription costs and four general‑fund employees. Councilors pressed the department on DocuSign users, school procurement overlap and the duration of ARPA funding for an assistant procurement officer.
The New Bedford Purchasing Department told the City Council on May 21 that its FY26 budget is essentially level with FY25 and includes one fewer position because an ARPA-funded role remains vacant.
Director Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez said the department’s general‑fund staffing will total four full‑time employees in FY26 and that most of the department’s operating budget is salaries plus an annual DocuSign contract to circulate electronic agreements. “Other than that, our budget is really just our salaries and DocuSign,” Rodriguez said.
Councilor Lopes asked about a rise in the department’s purchase‑of‑services line, noting an increase tied to…
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