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Board ratifies emergency AC purchase at health department; attorney warns emergency declarations can't be retroactive
Summary
Board ratified payment for an emergency air-conditioning replacement at the health department that was installed after service failure; the county attorney said emergencies cannot be declared retroactively and recommended ratification to pay the vendor.
The board ratified payment for an air-conditioning unit installed at the health department after a failure, and the county attorney advised the board on the limited procedural options following an after-the-fact emergency purchase.
Staff reported the compressor failed and a replacement was installed the day after discovery. At the meeting a board member asked whether the purchase could be treated as an emergency; the attorney said, “You cannot declare an emergency after the fact,” but said the board could ratify the payment because the service had been rendered and the vendor could seek recovery if the board denied payment. The board then moved to ratify the purchase and the motion carried with one recorded nay in the excerpt.
Members emphasized the need for two quotes in future purchases even for merchants, and staff was asked to follow procurement guidelines when possible. The board noted ratification protects the county from vendor claims if the board declines to pay for a service already performed.
