§ 2-222. Large expenditures.

Where the amount of expenditure exceeds the bid limitation as established by section 2-221 the city administrator shall invite competitive sealed bids thereon by (optional) advertisement in any newspaper of general circulation in an area of resource which will supply the need, and by (mandatory) advertisement in any locally-published newspaper, at least once 30 or more days prior to an established date on which no further bids shall be accepted. Other prospective bidders which may not have access to local newspapers may be advised by mail of the specifications and solicitation for bids. Bids received pursuant to such solicitations shall be opened and read at the date and time established for such opening in the presence of the appropriate departmental director or their designee. The city administrator shall have exclusive power to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, after approval of the city board of directors. The expenditure shall be awarded on the basis of lowest responsible bidder, provided, however, that the city administrator may reject any and all such bids or waive non-prejudicial irregularities. Except for emergencies as provided in subsection 2-223(b), and change orders within the limits as provided in subsection 2-223(c), no bid contract expenditure approved by the board of directors shall be increased without further approval of the board; provided, however, that the estimated total cost of unit-price contracts may be exceeded without prior board approval unless the scope of the work, or the price per unit, is increased. By written report presented at the next regular meeting of the board of directors, the administrator shall report the amount by which any unit-price contract has exceeded the bid estimate.

(Ord. No. 12-12, § I, 10-2-2012; Ord. No. 14-19, § I, 8-19-2014)