Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement Policies topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves retroactive road equipment payment and orders procurement review
Summary
Supervisors retroactively authorized payment for road equipment that was delivered without documented board approval and directed an immediate review of county purchasing practices after staff found multiple purchases and contracts executed outside procurement rules.
The board authorized a retroactive payment March 10 to cover a patch truck and dump bed that arrived after an order placed in 2023 but without a recorded board authorization. The CEO told supervisors she could not sign the purchase orders because they exceeded her $50,000 signatory authority and that department staff had proceeded without documented board approvals.
"We will be implementing new purchasing rules and holding staff accountable," the CEO said, noting additional examples of items and vehicles acquired without proper approvals. County counsel and the auditor‑controller warned that entering into contracts without authority creates legal and fiscal risks and could leave the county under no obligation to honor unauthorized agreements.
The board approved the payment (4‑1) and directed county administration and counsel to return with procurement ordinance updates, additional controls, and recommendations for accountability and staff training. Several supervisors said the pattern reflected years of lax practices and emphasized tighter controls going forward.
Next steps: CEO and county counsel will prepare proposed revisions to the purchasing policy and draft procurement procedures for board consideration; the state controller's ongoing audit will also review these transactions.
