§ 16-055. LOCAL VENDOR PREFERENCE

(a)

The County annually spends a significant amount of money on the purchase of personal property, materials, and supplies. The dollars used to make those purchases are derived, in large part, from taxes, fees, and revenues derived from local businesses. The Sutter County Board of Supervisors recognizes that funds generated in and from the Sutter County area should, to the greatest extent possible, be placed back into the local economy. It is therefore in the best interests of the county to give a preference to local businesses in making such purchases whenever the application of such a preference is reasonable in light of the dollar-value of proposals received in relation to such expenditures. Therefore, for those purchases contemplated by Section 16-050 of this Code, the Purchasing Agent and his or her designee shall give preference to vendors who meet the following criteria:

(1)

The vendor currently conducts business in a physical location within the County of Sutter; and,

(2)

The vendor has conducted business in a physical location within the County of Sutter for a continuous period of not less than six months prior to the initial solicitation of publication of bids or quotes by the County of Sutter.

(b)

Said preference shall apply only when it is determined by the Purchasing Agent or his or her designee, in their sole discretion, that the price, fitness and quality of the items are equal.

(c)

The Local Vendor Preference shall not apply to bids conducted jointly with other public agencies, nor when prohibited by State or Federal statutes or regulations that require award to the lowest responsible bidder, nor when otherwise exempted by the Sutter County Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. 1548, Sec. 1, February 22, 2011)