Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ann M. Stillman, Director of Public Works
Subject: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.55 (Procedures for Contracting for Public Projects) of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code to Update California Public Contract Code Procedures and Cost Thresholds
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt an ordinance amending Sections 2.55.030 (Competitive bidding on construction or repair contracts - when required), and 2.55.040 (Informal bidding ordinance), and adding 2.55.050 (Adjustment) to Chapter 2.55 (Procedures for Contracting for Public Projects) of Title 2 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code to be consistent with recent amendments to the California Public Contract Code, previously introduced on August 12, 2025, and waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety.
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BACKGROUND:
On June 14, 1994, this Board adopted Resolution No. 58373 authorizing the County of San Mateo (County) to become subject to the Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Procedures pursuant to California Public Contract Code (CPCC), Section 22030, et seq.
Effective January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill 2192 revised Section 22030, et seq. to increase the thresholds by which public projects can be: performed by employees, procured under informal bidding procedures, and procured by a formal bidding procedure. The bill also authorizes the governing body of a public agency, in the event all informal bids received for the performance of that public project are in excess of $220,000, to award the contract at $235,000 or less to the lowest responsible bidder.
DISCUSSION:
Chapter 2.55 Procedures for Contracting for Public Projects, of Article 2.5 Public Works and County Property of Title 2 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code codifies certain procedures contained in the CPCC. To maintain consistency between Chapter 2.55 and the CPCC as recently amended, the Department of Public Works (Department) recommends the project cost thresholds currently specified in the County’s Ordinance Code be updated.
The recommended amendments to the County Ordinance Code will bring Chapter 2.55, “Procedures for Contracting for Public Projects” into conformity with revised CPCC procedures and cost thresholds. Proposed changes to the cost thresholds set forth in Chapter 2.55 are summarized in the table below.
Section 2.55.030 - Competitive Bidding on Construction or Repair Contract Current and proposed cost thresholds.
The Department recommends amending Section 2.55.040 to conform with Assembly Bill 2192 to authorize the governing body of a public agency, in the event all informal bids received for the performance of that public project are in excess of $220,000, to award the contract at $235,000 or less to the lowest responsible bidder.
The Department also recommends the addition of Section 2.55.050 - Adjustment, as the State of California periodically changes the cost thresholds that determine when informal bidding methods are appropriate. The addition of this section allows for efficiency and streamlined processes when the State changes to those cost thresholds become effective.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the Ordinance as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Department is committed to providing consistent, high-standard services for County facilities irrespective of department, location, or size of the space. The Department’s mission and commitment is to provide equitable services to the community and the staff who provide services to the community. Compliance with CPCC promotes statewide uniformity of the cost accounting standards and creates greater transparency for those entities wishing to contract with the County for public projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional impact to the General Fund.