Tuolumne County Municipal Code Ch. 3.20 PURCHASING1

Sections:

• 3.20.010

• Emergency purchases.

• 3.20.020

• Purchasing procedure.

• 3.20.030

• Availability of funds.

• 3.20.040

• Return of merchandise.

• 3.20.050

• Competitive bidding.

• 3.20.060

• Deviation from specifications.

Emergency purchases may be made by any person or official authorized to sign requisitions when the purchasing agent is not immediately available and when the item purchased is immediately necessary for the operation of the office or department involved or is immediately necessary for the preservation of life or property.
Emergency purchases shall be subsequently approved by the in the purchasing agent. If he/she refuses to confirm an emergency purchase, the board may subsequently approve and confirm the purchase by a majority vote.
Unless emergency purchases are approved and confirmed by either the purchasing agent or the board, the cost is not a legal charge against the county. (Ord. 1097 § 1 (part), 1980; prior code § 2-6.3).

Except for purchases from the stores account, all purchases, rentals and contracts shall be made only on proper written requisitions, the forms of which shall be supplied to the county offices and departments by the purchasing agent. The head of any county office or department is authorized to draw requisitions for purchases for their office or department in accordance with current budget accounts, provided that funds are allocated, and budgets are adopted by the board of supervisors. Such department head may delegate this authority to one or more of their deputies, assistants, or employees by filing a written authorization with the Purchasing Agent and Auditor-Controller. (Ord. 3474 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3398 §11, 2021; Ord. 1097 § 1 (part), 1980; prior code § 2-6.4)

emergencies, no notice of award of contract shall be issued, no contract shall be signed and no open-market purchase order shall be issued

1 For the provisions on the office of the purchasing agent, see Ch. 2.24 of this code. until the auditor-controller has certified that the unexpended balance appropriation or appropriations concerned is sufficient to defray the amount of the contract or purchase order.
(Ord. 3398 § 12, 2021; Ord. 1097 § 1 (part), 1980; prior code § 2-6.5)

emergencies, no supplies, materials or equipment shall be returned to a vendor for trade, credit or repair or to any other person without the approval of the purchasing agent. (Ord. 3398 § 13, 2021; Ord. 1097 § 1 (part), 1980; prior code § 2-6.6).

otherwise provided by law, the purchasing agent may purchase personal property or do anything authorized in this chapter without notice, advertisement or the securing of competitive bids or quotations.
(Ord. 3398 § 14, 2021; Ord. 1097 § 1 (part), 1980; prior code § 2-6.7).

purchasing agent may allow an insubstantial or inconsequential deviation from prescribed specifications by the successful bidder provided that:

A. The bid substantially conforms to the call for quotations;

B. The variances did not affect the amount of the bid; and

C. The bidder does not gain an advantage or benefit not allowed other bids.
(Ord. 3398 § 15, 2021; Ord. 1699 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1097 § 1 (part), 1980; prior code §§ 2-6.8, 2-6.9).