Memorandum
Date: May 12, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Patrick Sullivan, Treasurer - Tax Collector
Subject: (a) Affirm and continue the June 6, 2023, Board of Supervisors determination to waive the formal bidding process pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2(2), as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; (b) determine that ongoing competitive bidding is still not in the public interest pursuant to Section 38.2 (1), as the inability of the Treasurer - Tax Collector to continue basic essential operations pursuant to the existing month-to-month contract with RT Lawrence would create a state of emergency; (c) approve payment of RT Lawrence Invoice #50662 & 50772; (d) and authorize payment of RT Lawrence invoices so long as the total payments remain under the estimated annual maximum, adjusted for CPI as indicated in Section 38.1.
Executive Summary:
This contract was originally approved on June 6, 2023, based on annual estimated cost. On July 25, 2023, a one-time amendment was added to permit a $14,300.00 software upgrade needed in that fiscal year.
At this same time last year, our office was advised that the reason our RT Lawrence invoices were no longer being paid was because month-to-month contracts were no longer being honored. We were ultimately able to restore payment, but now again our invoices are not being paid due to a contract interpretation.
As your Board is aware, RT Lawrence is our vendor for electronic payment processing as well as the lockbox processing service for property tax payments. RT Lawrence remains the only vendor integrated with our Megabyte Property Tax Software, and with our limited staffing levels a conversion back to manual payment processing will not be sustainable.
This item is being brought in an effort to provide certainty and permit Treasury operations to continue.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: (a) Affirm and continue the June 6, 2023, Board of Supervisors determination to waive the formal bidding process pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2(2), as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; (b) determine that ongoing competitive bidding is still not in the public interest pursuant to Section 38.2 (1), as the inability of the Treasurer - Tax Collector to continue basic essential operations pursuant to the existing month-to-month contract with RT Lawrence would create a state of emergency; (c) Approve payment of RT Lawrence Invoice #50662 & 50772; (d) and authorize payment of RT Lawrence invoices so long as the total payments remain under the estimated annual maximum, adjusted for CPI as indicated in Section 38.1.