Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 24, 2020 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-g <br /> SUBJECT: Delegation of Emergency Contracting Authority to the County Manager <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, <br /> 919-245-2308 <br /> PURPOSE: To authorize the Manager to execute contracts and agreements in excess of the <br /> Manager's signature authority for the duration of the current State of Emergency. <br /> BACKGROUND: On March 13, 2020 the Board Chair Penny Rich declared a State of <br /> Emergency in Orange County ("Declaration") related to the national emergency created by the <br /> Corona Virus Disease 2019 pandemic. In addition to the authority granted to the Manager <br /> pursuant to the Declaration, there is a need to minimize the number of Board of Commissioner <br /> ("BOCC") meetings to avoid prolonged interpersonal contact. One means of doing so is to <br /> minimize the number of items for BOCC review. Currently the Manager may execute contracts <br /> and agreements up to $90,000 for services and purchases goods and $250,000 for <br /> construction. Authorizing the Manager to execute contracts up to $500,000 for construction <br /> projects and over $90,000 for services and purchases of goods will eliminate the need for <br /> BOCC approval at a meeting. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact associated with this action is dependent upon the <br /> number and amount of executed contracts. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated <br /> with this item. <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal <br /> impact associated with this item. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board authorize the Manager to <br /> execute contracts and agreements, subject to each contract and agreement receiving full review <br /> typical of all contracts and agreements for the duration of the Orange County State of <br /> Emergency declared on March 13, 2020, and to direct the Manager to report to the BOCC on a <br /> monthly basis the nature and amount of those contracts and agreements. The dollar thresholds <br /> for this delegation of authority shall be limited: <br /> 1) For construction contracts — up to $500,000; <br /> 2) For purchases of goods, materials, and apparatus — no limitation (any such <br /> contract over $90,000 remains subject to formal bidding); and <br /> 3) For services contracts — no limitation. <br />