Fairlawn May Raise Bid Limit

The city is considering raising the bid limit from $25,000 to $50,000 to make purchases more efficient.

Assistant Finance Director Patricia Bertsch told City Council this week that having to seek bids on purchases can be "a costly, time-consuming process."

That's why the state has already raised its bid limit to $50,000, she said.

Otherwise, even buying a vehicle means writing a set of bid specs, advertising for bidders and waiting weeks for the process to unfold.

"It's just cumbersome," Bertsch said. "If we move that threshold up, it would be easier for everyone."

Department heads would continue to get three quotes from sellers when buying something without a bid, like they do now for significant purchases under $25,000, she said.