Peachtree City has raised its threshold for requiring sealed bids on purchases.
Formerly the minimum was at $10,000, but last week the city council agreed to a staff recommendation to raise it to $25,000.
Finance Director Paul Salvatore said the city’s facilities bond projects were projected to significantly increase the number of bids sought and associated paperwork, so this will allow the lower-costing projects to be administered in a simpler manner, cutting down on staff time.
In doing so, it will speed delivery of those smaller projects between $10,000 and $25,000, Salvatore said.
Councilman George Dienhart said he was concerned about limiting the city’s ability to “be very careful stewards of taxpayer money.” Dienhart said he was worried about the power the change gives to future members of city staff.
Councilwoman Kim Learnard said she felt the $25,000 limit was within reason and that she recognized that staff time is at a premium.
For purchases between $5,000 and $25,000, city employees must get three written quotes and the final approval must come from the city’s chief administrative officer, according to city ordinance.
Expenditures between $1,000 and $5,000 require three verbal quotes and the same approval process.
In other business, George Martin of the Peachtree City Running Club last week presented a check to Mayor Don Haddix for $6,000 to pay for a new water fountain to be installed on the cart path outside of city hall. The previous fountain, also funded by the running club, had lasted for 27 years before finally succumbing in recent weeks.
