Rules for contracting bids and drainage authorities could be amended.
Sponsored by Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth) and Sen. Rick Olseen (DFL-Harris), HF3646/SF3622* was passed 64-3 by the Senate April 3 and 115-17 by the House April 14. It awaits action by the governor.
The bill would increase the threshold amounts for the various methods of entering into contracts under the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law and would make related changes to the statute governing drainage authorities.
Marquart said the bill seeks to reach a balance between making sure that taxpayer dollars are protected by an above-the-board system of bidding, and making sure taxpayers do not face increasing expenses due the cost faced by cities and townships in meeting current bidding requirements.
The threshold amount for sealed bids in the UMCL would increase from $50,000 to $100,000, and the maximum amount for using quotations or open market solicitations would increase from $10,000 to $25,000.
Relating to drainage authorities, the bill would remove the specific dollar amount under which advertising for bids would not be required for drainage authorities; remove the dollar amount over which the drainage authority may not levy an assessment for repairs or maintenance; and strike the specific dollar amount threshold for bids for repair and reconstruction for drainage systems after a disaster. Each provision is tied to the updated UMCL regulations.