By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The purchasing ordinance for Juab County is being reviewed and will mirror the state requirements.
“It is a complete overhaul,” said Jared Eldridge, Juab County attorney.
The State of Utah, Rule R33-4, specifications, as in effect on August 1, 2007, in General Purpose and Policies states the purpose of a purchasing ordinance.
“Specifications shall be drafted with the objective of clearly describing the purchasing agency’s requirements and of encouraging competition.”
The purpose of a specification is to serve as a basis for obtaining a supply, service, or construction item adequate and suitable for the purchasing agency’s needs in a cost effective manner, taking into account, to the extent practicable, the costs of ownership and operation as well as initial acquisition costs.
The purchasing ordinance, in Juab County, will also set a dollar amount for purchases.
If the purchase by any office or elected official is over $1,000, it will need to come before the county commission.
“I don’t have an objection to the road department having a higher amount,” said LuWayne Walker.
Nevertheless, he said, he would like items to come to the commission so that it could be determined, in advance of large purchases, that the budget for the department or office was not over-spent prior to the purchase.
“The ordinance mirrors what the state requires of state offices,” said Eldridge.
The state even sets specifications, to the extent practicable.
Such specifications, according to the state requirements, should emphasize functional or performance criteria while limiting design or other detailed physical descriptions to those necessary to meet the needs of the purchasing agency.
The state ordinance sates: “To facilitate the use of the criteria, using agencies shall endeavor to include as a part of their purchase requisitions the principal functional or performance needs to be met. It is recognized, however, that the preference for use of functional or performance specifications is primarily applicable to the procurement of supplies and services. This preference is often not practicable in construction, apart from the procurement of supply-type items for a construction project.”
It is the general policy that requirements be satisfied by standard commercial products whenever practicable.
Except for testing and confidential data, specifications and any written determination or other document generated or used in the development of a specification shall be available for public inspection.
“In the event of an emergency, as determined by the procurement officer, the purchasing agency may procure by any reasonable means, with any available specifications, without regard to the provision of these rules.”
Mike Seely, county administrator, will take the document to employees for review before it comes back before the commission.
