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Commission updates purchasing manual to meet federal rules; commissioners discuss adding union‑inclusive language
Summary
The commission approved changes to the purchasing manual required by 2 CFR 200 to address a 2024 audit finding; commissioners asked staff and the city attorney to draft language and outreach steps to make bids more accessible to union contractors and to return with vetted language.
The Mount Pleasant City Commission voted Dec. 8 to update the city's purchasing manual to bring procurement practices into compliance with 2 CFR 200 and to resolve a 2024 audit finding related to federally funded projects.
Manager Desentz told the commission the federal audit required the city to implement checks for contractors working on federally funded projects — including verifying that vendors are not on federal exclusion lists. The changes to the purchasing manual were presented per Director Pavlovsky's memo and staff recommendation.
Discussion then turned to whether the purchasing manual should also include language or outreach steps to make bid opportunities more accessible to union contractors. Commissioner Skalitzki said he had spoken with city management and suggested adding a contact point with local union halls so union-affiliated contractors and newer shop owners could be alerted to bidding opportunities. Vice Mayor Eke said he supported inclusive language but emphasized that legal review was appropriate: "I'm not suggesting that you craft it. I think the attorney should take a look at it," he said.
Director Moore and other staff explained that bids are posted on BidNet and that contractors can sign up for categories to receive automatic notifications. Several commissioners suggested staff draft specific language about outreach to unions and present it — vetted by the city attorney — at a future meeting or work session.
Vice Mayor Eke moved and Commissioner Sklitsky seconded the motion to approve the purchasing manual changes required by 2 CFR 200; the motion passed. Commissioners directed staff to return with optional, attorney‑reviewed language if the commission wants to add explicit union‑inclusive or outreach language later.
The approved revisions address federal compliance and vendor vetting; any addition of language regarding unions will be considered separately after staff and counsel prepare recommended language.
