§ 1:702. Authority for contract awards.

(a)

Contract approval levels are established based on type of contract and value of contract as enumerated in subsections (b)—(f) below.

(b)

All regular contracts exceeding the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) which involve labor and the construction, maintenance and/or demolition of public works shall be approved by the council, the office of the parish attorney, and the mayor-president.

(c)

All contracts for professional services exceeding the sum of seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500.00) annually shall be approved by the council, the office of the parish attorney, and the mayor-president. Specific recurring professional services contracts may be listed in the annual operating budget, which shall constitute council approval.

(d)

All regular contracts up to and including the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) which involve labor and the construction, maintenance and/or demolition of public works may be approved and signed by the purchasing agent, subject to the approval of the parish attorney, without the necessity of the approval of the council.

(e)

The agency department head is authorized to make direct purchases for professional services costing two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) and less (considered small purchase contracts) on an annual basis in accordance with current finance and purchasing regulations governing direct purchases without the necessity of the purchasing division approval, subject to the restrictions shown in this section.

(1)

Under no circumstances shall there be a division or separation of any procurement of professional services or projects which division or separation would have the effect of avoiding the approval process.

(2)

The using agency shall submit an annual report to the purchasing division. This report shall contain a listing of all contracts costing two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) and less to include: the name of contractor, amount of contract, specific nature of services rendered, date of contract, and total dollar amount of all small purchase contracts entered into by the using agency for that fiscal year. If no such contracts have been entered into during this period, a report shall still be submitted notifying the purchasing division of same.

(f)

All contracts for professional services exceeding the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) annually and up to and including the sum of seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500.00) may be approved and signed by the purchasing agent, subject to the approval of the parish attorney, without the necessity of the approval of the council.

(g)

All annual contracts (which merely establish price) and purchase orders or contracts for the purchases of materials, supplies and equipment may be approved and signed by the purchasing agent without council authorization. If there is a question as to whether a contract is an "annual" or "regular" contract for approval purposes, the matter shall be referred to the parish attorney for resolution.

(Ord. No. 16935, § 1, 11-28-18)