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Vernon County adopts contract authority and procurement policies with dollar thresholds
Summary
The Board adopted a Contract Authority and Approval Policy and a Purchasing & Procurement Policy that delegate signature authority by dollar thresholds and include amendments exempting fully state- or federally-funded expenditures from certain deviation rules.
The Vernon County Board voted to adopt two administrative policies establishing contract authority and procurement thresholds. Administrative Coordinator Cassandra Hanan summarized the Contract Authority and Approval Policy, which defines contract types and approval scenarios, while Finance Director Johnson described the Purchasing and Procurement Policy, which went through four draft versions and six public listening sessions.
Under the Purchasing and Procurement Policy, department heads have signature authority for budgeted purchases up to $10,000; purchases between $10,001 and $50,000 require approval by the Finance Director; $50,001–$500,000 require the Administrative Coordinator’s approval; and expenditures above $500,000 require Finance Committee authorization. The Board amended the Deviations/Unapproved Expenditures paragraph to exempt expenditures fully paid by new state or federal revenue (these still must be approved through formal budget amendment). The Board also removed a sentence in Monitoring and Compliance that read, "As with all matters involving disciplinary action, principles of fairness will apply," at the request of a supervisor for clarity.
Supporters emphasized the need for consistent procedures to protect taxpayers and ensure bills are vetted; Finance Committee will review monthly bill lists and monitor implementation. The Board adopted Resolution 2023-53 and Resolution 2023-54 as amended by voice vote.
