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Bluffton moves to raise purchasing thresholds and cut mobile-vending fee to $50
Summary
Council approved first-reading changes to the purchasing ordinance to raise solicitation thresholds and approved an amendment to move the mobile-vending permit fee into the master fee schedule and reduce it from $400 to $50.
Council approved two ordinance changes on first reading intended to modernize procurement rules and align vending fees with peer towns.
Staff recommended raising the town’s low-dollar procurement threshold and adjusting solicitation requirements so that purchases from $15,000 to $100,000 require at least three quotes and formal competitive solicitation would be required at $100,000 and above. The presenter framed the change as aligning the town’s thresholds with peers and allowing operational agility while retaining the town manager's authority to adopt more restrictive procurement procedures.
Separately, planning/finance staff proposed removing the $400 mobile-vending permit fee from the ordinance and placing the fee amount in the master fee schedule; the town manager recommended reducing the fee to $50 per year to match a base business license and remain competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. Council approved both measures on first reading by voice vote.
