Memorandum
Date: December 9, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Casey Moreno, Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: 11:35 A.M. - Public Hearing - Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the Purchasing Ordinance: Article X of Chapter Two of the Lake County Code to clarify powers and duties, additional exemptions from competitive bidding and include increased purchasing limits for public projects
Executive Summary:
Staff is requesting that Article X of Chapter Two of the Lake County Code be amended to clarify powers and duties, additional exemptions from competitive bidding and include increased purchasing limits for public projects pursuant to Public Contract Code 22032.
The following sections have the proposed changes:
Section 2-36. Powers and Duties. Added section (p) Approve an exemption from competitive bidding in the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment, and contractual services up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) as outlined in section 2-38.
Section 2-37.1 Delegation of Authority and Unlawful Purchase, added (g)
Section 2-38. 38.2 Exemption from Competitive Bidding, removed the Board of Supervisors from needing to approve this exemption. 38.4(3) removed mention of the County’s Consultant Selection Policy. Added 38.8 Atypical Procurement and 38.9 Specific Exemptions.
Section 2-39 Solicitation Methods and Awarding Authority. Remove 39.2.
Section 2-53 Bidding Procedures for Public Projects. 53.1-53.4 Increased amounts pursuant to the Public Contract Code, updated language, and added the Water Resources Director.
These changes will improve efficiency and clarify purchasing for further transparency. Staff recommends your board approve the first reading of the purchasing ordinance update.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ____0___ Amount Budgeted: ___0____ Additional Requested: ___0____ Future Annual Cost: __0_____
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!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: Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the Purchasing Ordinance: Article X of Chapter Two of the Lake County Code to clarify powers and duties, additional exemptions from competitive bidding and include increased purchasing limits for public projects.