The Stuart Town Council approved its procurement policy at its Wednesday, June 18 meeting.
Town Manager Bryce Simmons said the reason he wanted the policy is primarily for the town’s Downtown Revitalization project.
“It is a deliverable that they want to look at specifically in how we deal with small purchases,” he said.
In general, Simmons said he’s tried to follow the Virginia Municipal League’s procurement handbook which acts as a guideline for the Virginia procurement act.
Because the town will soon have its new Treasurer on board, Simmons prepared a document to be used as a reference outlining how the town conducts business.
“I’ve tried to make it as least cumbersome as possible. This, I hope, will be a living document. It’s a policy, it’s not an ordinance, it’s not a resolution, this is something that we can change as we get into something, have a question,” he said.
Simmons also believes he should have been trying to come up with policies earlier in his tenure as town manager, “because here at the town we’ve been a little lax in how we have viewed and perceived policy. I think this is a good thing to keep moving forward.”
In other matters, the council:
*Heard an update on town projects.
*Heard an update about businesses that have fallen behind in paying meals taxes.
*Heard an introduction from Patrick County Library Branch Manager Somer Luna-Ojodeagua, who invited the council to visit the library and see what it has to offer.
*Approved the meeting minutes.
*Paid the bills.
Vice Mayor Dave Hoback did not attend the meeting.
