Amendments to the Town of Drumheller’s purchasing policy was brought before council during the regular Monday, November 9 council meeting.
Changes to the policy included doubling of the pre-tax local vendor differential from five per cent to 10 per cent which, according to Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Darryl Drohomerski, will bring Drumheller in line with other municipalities.
“The goal is to support local businesses wherever possible,” Drohomerski said. He added, “The 10 per cent differential allows the local supplier to better compete with the large players on the same product.”
This change will allow local businesses to compete with non-local suppliers and vendors on purchases, before tax, of up to $25,000 for contracts not involving provincial or federal monies.
Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Heather Bitz told the Mail, “In light of the current economic conditions, this change will be positive for local businesses who are looking to do business with the Town of Drumheller. Back in 2017, the Chamber of Commerce advocated to the town to have a local supplier pre-tax differential included in the purchasing policy, so we are happy to see it remain and now, at a higher percentage.”
Other changes included increasing allowances for the Director of Infrastructure to award purchases of up to $100,000, previously $25,000, to help streamline services for the department, and increasing direct purchase limits from $5,000 to $10,000.
