Councilors and staff consider a part-time designated purchaser to cut duplicative small buys

Committee members and finance staff discussed baseline budgeting and a proposal to create a designated purchaser role to centralize routine procurement. Staff said departments often place duplicate small orders (multiple orders from the same hardware store or online vendors) and that a centralized purchaser could consolidate routine buys — for example, ordering bulk water or supplies on a six-month schedule — lowering unit costs.

Staff framed the role as potentially part-time unless paired with another part-time duty; the mayor and city administrator are still considering whether to request the position in the operational budget. Council members expressed support and said warrants show repeated small purchases that duplication could eliminate.