KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County commissioners are expected to approve updates to their bidding preference policy tonight, which allows them to not just take the lowest bid, but the best bid for the local economy.
They already have a policy that gives local vendors a slight edge in the bidding process, the revisions refine it according to purchasing manager Victoria Barboza.
The idea behind such policies is to keep local tax-dollars circulating in the local economy and funding local jobs whenever possible, while not overspending.
Building in transparency is one safeguard the new policy includes to reduce the potential for favoritism in awarding contracts.
The new policy will only apply to purchases or contracts over $100,000. Construction projects face three additional criteria: safety, equity and local impact.
Approving the new preference policy is on this evening’s agenda.
The city of Kalamazoo already has a preference policy, and the Portage city council has discussed creating their own.
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