Finance & Budget

General Information

The City of Wildwood's purchasing procedures are established in compliance with the purchasing policy set forth in chapter 145 of the Wildwood City Code. The goals of our purchasing policy include minimizing costs, encouraging competition, taking advantage of tax exemptions and special purchasing contracts, and maintaining internal control over expenditure of city funds. The city administrator is the purchasing agent, unless the mayor, with the approval of the City Council, appoints another person.

Purchasing Rules

Listed below are the requirements as established by the Purchasing Policy as recorded in the Wildwood City Code, Chapter 145.020, Purchasing Rules. These rules must be followed to generate an approved purchase:

1. Purchases under $2,500.00. Whenever any contemplated purchase or contract for goods or services is for the sum of less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) inclusive, the Purchasing Agent or assigned department head may order the item or services as needed in accordance with the approved purchasing procedures. The Purchasing Agent or assigned department head shall competitively shop to ensure that vendors which the City deals with are maintaining competitive pricing and appropriate quality goods and services.

2. Purchases costing from $2,500.00 to $10,000.00 inclusive. Whenever any contemplated purchase or contract is for goods or services costing from two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) inclusive, the assigned department head shall obtain at least three (3) written or oral quotations for the goods or services to be purchased. The quotations shall be submitted in written form to the Purchasing Agent who shall award the purchase or contract to the lowest responsible vendor.

3. Items costing over $10,000.00. Whenever any contemplated purchase or contract for goods or services is for the sum of more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), the Purchasing Agent or assigned department head shall cause to be published in one (1) issue of a newspaper of general circulation in the City a notice inviting bids. Said notice shall be published at least ten (10) business days prior to the date set for receipt of the bids. The Purchasing Agent may allow more time for the preparation and submittal of bids whenever the contemplated purchase of goods or services indicates that a longer period of time will be required for vendors to complete and submit bids. The notice herein required shall include a general description of the articles to be purchased or services performed and the time and place for opening bids. In addition, the Purchasing Agent or assigned department head shall post a notice inviting bids in City Hall and may also mail to all responsible perspective suppliers of the items to be purchased or service performed a copy of the notice inserted in the newspapers hereinbefore required. Upon opening of the sealed bids, the Purchasing Agent or assigned department head shall review and investigate all bids received and shall then make a recommendation to the City Council based upon said investigation as to which bidder has submitted the lowest responsible bid.

4. Nothing herein shall be construed to require the Council to accept the lowest bid, or prevent the Council from rejecting all bids or negotiating for more favorable terms.