Diane Kelly
 

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

The Purchasing Division maintains vendor and bidder list, writes, edits and evaluates specifications, sets up vendor demonstrations and schedules sessions for County staff to meet new vendors and evaluate new products, goods and services.

The Purchasing staff conducts value analysis and comparative cost studies and evaluates procurement standards on an ongoing basis.

The staff provides guidance concerning proper competitive bid and quotation procedures.

The Purchasing Division serves as the value saver and negotiator for the County’s taxpayers in communicating with other counties, State government price sources (Vendornet) and single source vendors on cost improvement measures to save County dollars.
 

 EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Began development of a department procedure manual.

Utilized group purchasing programs available to SE Wisconsin and the State to reduce the costs of services and equipment for the County’s operations.

Advanced staff knowledge in procurement procedures and legalities through educational classes offered by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.

Set main goal of the department to be ‘Customer Service Oriented’ when working with other Departments.

Worked with Human Services Department to implement on-line requisitioning.
 

2003 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

•    Spend less to provide best “value” goods, services and equipment for the County’s operations.
   
•    Continue to develop ways of implementing cost reduction plans through communication with other departments.
   
•    Continue to work with County departments to implement on-line requisitions. The focus in 2003 will be on the County School office and Ridgewood Care Center.
   
•    Develop a database for vendor and bidder lists to ensure equal opportunity to all vendors in supplying the County with products, goods and services.
   
•    Update the Racine County Procurement Policy to make it easier to read and understand.
   
•    Publish legal notices on the County’s website to invite more vendors to bid on products, goods, and services required by County departments.
   
•    Provide training to staff in order to increase efficiency and to improve customer service.
   
•    Establish a “Requisition Guide for Departments” to streamline the requisition process.

COUNTY BOARD DIRECTIVE

Require that al RFP's and contracts with vendors contain language asking for early payment discounts (example: 2%/10, N30) if appropriate.