Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John L. Maltbie, County Manager
Subject: Board of Supervisors' Response to the 2017-2018 Civil Grand Jury Report, "Cooperative Purchasing - A Roadmap to More Effective City Procurement"
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve the Board of Supervisors' response to the 2017-2018 Grand Jury Report, "Cooperative Purchasing - A Roadmap to More Effective City Procurement."
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BACKGROUND:
On July 19, 2018, the 2017-2018 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury issued a report titled "Cooperative Purchasing - A Roadmap to More Effective City Procurement." The Board of Supervisors is required to submit comments on the findings and recommendations pertaining to the matters over which it has some decision making authority within 90 days. The Board's response to the report is due to the Honorable V. Raymond Swope no later than October 17, 2018.
DISCUSSION:
The Grand Jury made thirteen findings and six recommendations in its report. The Board responses follow each finding and the six recommendations that the Grand Jury requested that the Board respond to within 90 days.
FINDINGS
Finding 1:
All 20 of the cities in the County purchase goods and services through decentralized purchasing systems.
Finding 2:
Decentralized purchasing systems successfully allow the Cities to procure goods and services at fair market prices while minimizing labor costs.
Finding 3:
The creation of a centralized purchasing department to provide the organization with advanced procurement services and guidance can be cost prohibitive.
Finding 4:
While city employees receive training on municipal purchasing guidelines and policies, many employees who conduct purchasing operations as a secondary responsibility are not trained or instructed to negotiate optimum prices by leveraging market power.
Finding 5:
City employees who conduct purchasing operations as a secondary responsibility ofte...
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