Merced Municipal Code Art. V Emergency Purchases

In the event an emergency arises which requires the immediate purchase of materials, supplies, equipment or contractual services, the city manager may authorize the purchasing supervisor to secure in the open market at the lowest obtainable price, any such materials, supplies, equipment or contractual services even though the amount thereof exceeds the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00). In each such instance the purchasing supervisor shall submit to the city manager, through proper authority, a full written report of the circumstances of such emergency, including a written explanation from the department head requesting the purchase, and a description of the items purchased.

As used in this chapter, an emergency shall be deemed to exist if:

A. There is a great public calamity; or

B. There is immediate need to prepare for national or local defense; or

C. There is a breakdown in machinery or an essential service which requires the immediate purchase of materials, supplies, equipment or contractual services to protect the public health, welfare or safety; or

D. An essential department operation affecting the public health, welfare or safety would be greatly hampered if the prescribed purchasing procedure would cause an undue delay in procurement of the needed materials, supplies, equipment, or contractual services.

(Amended during 8-08 supplement; Ord. 1162 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 2.31).

(Ord. No. 2326, § 1, 3-16-2009)