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Akron committee moves routine procurement measures, seeks clarity on vendor diversity and an IT substitute
Summary
Committee approved placing multiple procurement ordinances on consent — allowing one-year small-dollar purchasing with Amazon, Granger and WB Mason, multi-year software subscriptions through Dec. 31, 2026, and the annual bid ordinance — and asked staff to introduce an IT substitute next week for one line item.
The City of Akron Budget & Finance Committee placed several routine procurement ordinances on the consent agenda and discussed vendor diversity, thresholds for small-dollar purchases and an IT contract change.
Mister Wheeler told the committee the first procurement ordinance authorizes the purchasing agent to enter agreements without formal advertising for small-dollar purchases with Amazon, Granger and WB Mason for one year. Wheeler said the change allows the city to use Workday for direct purchase orders and speeds procurement for items typically below the city's $15,000 small-dollar threshold.
Councilman Bruce Bolton asked what 'small dollar' means and whether there is a cap. Wheeler replied the city typically treats small-dollar purchases as $15,000 or less and that the ordinance issues purchase orders to the named companies. Councilwoman Linda Amobian raised vendor-diversity concerns; Wheeler said Amazon's procurement controls can surface locally owned and diverse vendors when appropriate.
A separate ordinance would authorize the purchasing agent to enter contracts for annual software subscriptions and maintenance (examples cited: Office 365, Adobe, Workday) through Dec. 31, 2026. Wheeler and other staff explained that multiyear software contracts often include escalator clauses and that replacing enterprise systems like Workday or a utility billing system can be impractical and costly.
The annual bid ordinance authorizes competitive procurements with contract terms not to exceed five years. Councilmembers asked about mowing contracts (typically three years) and the ability to terminate contracts when services are unsatisfactory; staff said termination provisions are generally included.
On a miscellaneous procurement ordinance for repair parts and specialized equipment, staff said some items—such as ambulances—may effectively be sole-source because of equipment specificity. Staff also flagged a late-change to the IT line: the vendor is providing a different set of network switches, so they will introduce a substitute next week. The committee voted to take time on that item so staff can return with the corrected language.
What happens next: Most procurement ordinances were placed on the consent agenda. Item 9’s IT line will be reintroduced as a substitute next week for committee review before final council action.
