Purchasing - About Us
Vision:
Establish the Purchasing Division of Central Services, as the central, automated procurement source for all County departments and associated State agencies to insure the appropriate, cost-effective acquisition, distribution, and disposal of all goods and services for our customers.
Mission:
Purchasings’ mission is to procure quality goods and services for Polk County departments and agencies at the best market value.
To effectively administer the complete procurement cycle of all goods and services on behalf of our customers(county departments) from the initial needs determination and purchasing process, through evaluation, delivery, implementation, and final disposition of the goods or conclusion of the contracts.
General Information:
Central Services-Purchasing Division is responsible for recommending and administering purchasing policies, programs, and procedures for the acquisition of materials, equipment, supplies, services and construction projects for Polk County Government.
The Purchasing Division by Board approval is a Central Purchasing office. All requests for prices or services and all purchases are made via Central Services-Purchasing Division. This authority may be delegated to others, if certain criteria exists, in accordance with the Polk County Purchasing Policy.
This office has the authority to investigate the quality, quantity, and type of material purchased in order to best serve the interests of the County of Polk and the taxpaying citizens.
This division shall not knowingly issue a purchase order where there is evidence of a conflict of interest.
The county shall purchase from suppliers who have adequate financial strength, high ethical standards and a record of adhering to specifications and providing the full measure of services required.
By virtue of statuary authority, preference will be given to products and provisions grown and produced within the State of Iowa and to Iowa domestic labor.
At the discretion of the Board of Supervisors, preference may be given to Polk County vendors who produce goods or maintain an office in Polk County. Further, it shall be policy to actively solicit and seek out local vendors of goods and services and to encourage local vendors to stock and supply Iowa-made products.
Departments/agencies under the Polk County Purchasing Policy:
- Board of Supervisors
- Auditor
- County Attorney
- Recorder
- Sheriff
- Treasurer
- Human Resources
- Community, Family and Youth Services
- General Services
- Health Department
- Public Works
- Veterans Affairs
- Exceptions are:
- Assessors Office
- Conservation Board
- Health Services Corp.
Employees of the County shall not procure or assist in procuring any materials, supplies or equipment for the personal use of any employee, or official of the County. Employees by virtue of position are not entitled to any special consideration from vendors and contractors in their personal affairs nor are they to attempt to procure material for the personal use of any other person.