A municipal purchasing agent is not a specialist in one field, but rather like a "general practitioner" who purchases everything from paper clips to fire trucks. All responsibilities related to purchasing are centralized in this department
Centralized purchasing, as described in the manual "Purchasing for Local Governments" clearly defines the benefits:
- Overall buying - on a bulk basis - items which more than one department can use lowers costs.
- The number of small purchases is reduced. This lowers the cost, in both time and materials, of making purchases.
- Greater financial control of expenditures will result in more timely payment of bills, and in discounts for prompt payment.
- Collective buying with other municipalities, county or state is more likely, enabling lower prices due to purchasing in greater quantities.
A Centralized Purchasing Department provides a support service to all branches of the municipality. For centralization to be effective there must be cooperation from all departments. Serving the needs of each of these departments is the foremost consideration of this office.
Vendors are welcome, please call for appointment.
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