It used to be that if a city wanted to buy a used fire truck or police cruiser from another local government, they would have to go through a competitive bidding process. Effective Aug. 1, 2011, local governments can purchase public safety equipment directly from a single source when it makes financial sense.
A new law exempts public safety equipment from municipal contracting statutes, which normally require cities and counties to use competitive bidding or best value alternative processes to buy equipment. Under the provisions, a local government can skip competitive bidding “if the equipment is clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply, and the contract price may be best established by direct negotiation.”
The law also authorizes local governments to issue certificates of indebtedness or capital notes to lease public safety equipment for up to 15 years.
Rep. David Hancock (R-Bemidji) and Sen. Ray Vandeveer (R-Forest Lake) are the sponsors.
HF1139*/
SF921/CH33
Keeping the courts adequately funded
Public safety finance law doesn’t gut Human Rights Department
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Governor vetoes public safety bill
At about $1.8 billion in spending, no cuts to courts were proposed
(view full story)
Published 7/15/2011
DNA - It’s all in the family
Familial DNA could help solve criminal cases, but at what cost?
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
Creating a ‘Safe Harbor’
Wide-ranging support for bill to decriminalize juveniles exploited by prostitution
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Two omnibus bills merged into one
DFL legislators oppose cuts to Department of Human Rights, Civil Legal Services
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Safety versus savings
Home fire sprinklers would be costly, but can save lives
(view full story)
Published 3/4/2011
Minnesota Index: State corrections
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's correctional system
(view full story)
Published 2/25/2011
How young is too young?
Committee debates age for youth being charged as an adult in certain cases
(view full story)
Published 2/18/2011