Tift County adopts $25,000 cap for non‑budgeted purchases in revised purchasing policy

The Tift County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 12 to adopt Resolution No. 2026‑02, revising the county's purchasing policy to set a $25,000 cap for non‑budgeted purchases and to align bidding thresholds for public works with state law.

County Manager Jim Carter presented the change as an update to reflect current state requirements and to clarify authority for routine expenditures. Commissioner Paul Webb moved to approve the resolution with a $25,000 limit for non‑budgeted expenditures; Commissioner Greg Wood seconded and the motion carried 6‑0.

Supporters said the amendment will speed routine procurements by allowing the county manager, assistant county manager or chief financial officer to authorize non‑budgeted purchases up to the board‑approved limit without calling a special meeting. Carter told the board he had surveyed other counties during the drafting of the policy; the transcript records his presentation but does not quote him verbatim.

The board did not change the mandatory competitive bidding threshold for public works beyond aligning it with state law as described by staff. The resolution text, as summarized during the meeting, also assigns procurement and payment authority for non‑budgeted items at or below the approved limit to designated county officials.

The resolution passed on a 6‑0 vote. The county clerk will publish the ordinance and update procurement guidance; the board did not set an effective date in the meeting record.