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Lincoln council adopts amendment raising purchasing bid thresholds
Summary
The Lincoln Town Council adopted Ordinance 2025-16 amending Chapter 48 to raise procurement thresholds (moving some bid requirements up to $20,000) and to document federal-grant purchasing language; the change passed after committee explanation and a roll-call vote.
The Lincoln Town Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-16, an amendment to Chapter 48 of the town's purchasing policy that raises thresholds used to determine when competitive bidding is required and formalizes language for federal-grant purchases.
Councilors debated the change after an ordinance-committee report. “The biggest thing that this does is raises the amounts that are required for a bid process,” said the finance official speaking for the administration, explaining the change from lower thresholds (previously $5,000 and $10,000 bands described in committee discussion) to a $20,000 threshold for certain purchase categories and a $20,000 construction/nonconstruction threshold. The ordinance also inserts language recommended by auditors and aligns the code with federal requirements for purchases made with grant funds (referenced in the meeting as Title 45 and a new section, 45-18, for federal grant purchases).
Supporters said the adjustment responds to procurement realities—fewer vendors bid on smaller projects—and will be accompanied by administrative policies and department briefings so departments know when to use the small-purchase process and what documentation is required. One councilor emphasized that the amendment will not eliminate review for smaller purchases; instead, it supplements ordinance language with administrative procedures.
The council approved the ordinance by roll-call vote after the discussion; the chair and council members present voted to adopt the measure.
What happens next: the ordinance will take effect per the town's usual code-adoption timeline and staff said they will meet with departments to review the updated thresholds and documentation expectations.
