Council reviews procurement rewrite raising council-ratification threshold to $50,000
August 3, 2021, 4:00 p.m. · City Administration Office Conference Room, 51 E. Main St.
Finance Officer Anna Montoya presented a rewrite of American Fork's 2017 procurement policy that raises the no-bid limit to $2,500, requires competitive bids and council ratification above $50,000, and adds exceptions including professional services and superior products. Council members also listed priorities for state legislators: protecting local zoning, help paying for pressurized irrigation meters, and concerns about the proposed Utah Lake Authority.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Procurement policy rewrite | Discussed |
| Legislative priorities | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Procurement policy rewrite
Discussed
Proposed thresholds: under $2,500 no bids; $2,501-$5,000 three verbal bids; $5,001-$25,000 three written bids; $25,001-$50,000 written bids with administrator approval; over $50,000 competitive bid and council ratification (current policy required council ratification above $25,000). New exceptions to bidding include grants and gifts, superior products, interlocal and state contracts, emergencies, single source, contractor on site, professional services and fewer than three bids. New sections cover change orders, collusion, gratuities, conflicts and E-Verify. Councilmember Shelton questioned a blanket professional-services exception; the council kept the $50,000 threshold and asked for clearer emergency language. Adopted Aug. 10.
- Council ratification threshold: $25,000 → $50,000
Item 2 · Other
Legislative priorities
Discussed
City Administrator David Bunker said the Utah League of Cities and Towns tracked more than 200 bills affecting cities (electronic billboards, short-term rentals, sales tax distribution, fees, Utah Lake Authority). Council priorities: protecting local zoning, state matching funds for secondary water metering, the Utah Lake Authority and its proposed sewer 'toilet tax,' unfunded mandates such as fire radio upgrades, building inspection fee rules, and another road funding source besides property tax. A September meeting with legislators was proposed.