Sandpoint council approves procurement update, two grant applications and confirms public-works director

Sandpoint's City Council on Dec. 18 approved a series of administrative and grant-related measures and confirmed a new department head.

Procurement policy: The council approved an updated procurement and contract policy that raises internal thresholds for quotes and simplifies procurement tiers. Central Services Director Cheryl Hughes told the council the revision aligns city practice with Idaho law (Idaho Code —7-2806) and allows greater flexibility for time-sensitive purchases in utilities and other operations without eliminating internal controls. Under the adopted changes, purchases between $5,000 and $20,000 will require price comparisons and a purchase order; purchases between $20,000 and $75,000 will generally require three written quotes; purchases above $75,000 follow Idaho competitive-bid rules. Council members asked about safeguards and local-preference language; Hughes said central…