Purchasing

The Purchasing Department is responsible for overseeing the public bidding process, as required by state law, for the county'scapital projects and capital equipment; for building maintenance and repair contracts; as well as for consultant contracts.

The department is headed by a Certified Procurement Officer (CPO), which is the highest level of professional certification for administrators of the public procurement law.

Purchasing provides advice and counsel to the county's various departmental purchasers, such that they might efficiently obtain needed goods and services at the most advantageous prices, consistent with quality and availability, all in compliance with the public purchasing statutes.

Department staff manage the county's requisition and purchase order system, including such advertising as may be required. Related duties include inventory control and surplus disposal.

Purchasing staff also make available to municipal purchasing officials the option of joining many county public bids. The department administers a collaborative effort by some 22 municipalities to purchase fuel for heating buildings and fuel for vehicles. Participating communities have consistently reported achievement of significant savings.