Money from equipment sales will be used for purchases

The City Council updated Hudson’s procurement policy Monday night.

Alderperson Lori Bernard had requested the revision out of concern that money from vehicle and equipment sales was going into the general fund, and not being reserved to offset the cost of new vehicles and equipment.

The new policy addresses the issue, saying that proceeds from the sale of equipment purchased with funds from a specific city account will go back into that account.

“The proceeds shall be designated to offset the cost of future fixed asset purchases by the department disposing of the asset,” the policy states.

Finance Officer Neil Soltis reported that the seven-page policy also was revised to address ethical standards, compliance with state law, purchase orders, requirements for soliciting and awarding purchases, and language concerning “sole-source” purchases.

There was considerable discussion about requiring the Public Works and Parks Department to solicit bids on projects with an anticipated cost of $15,000 or more.

Alderperson Mary Yacoub voted against adopting the revised policy because she thought the threshold should be $25,000, the level required by the state.

The city will continue to give preference to local vendors if the price and quality of the low bids are determined to be roughly equal.

Also on Monday night, the council voted to fill a vacancy in the full-time receptionist position for the main floor of City Hall.

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