The City Council finds that businesses located within the City of Sebastopol suffer from a competitive disadvantage as compared to others in the region by reason of the distance to major interstate highways and regional commercial centers. Therefore, upon the completion of the procedures required within SMC 3.40.080, the determination shall be made relative to “local business” status. This determination shall be made by the City Manager or his/her designee. Should a bid from a qualifying local business be within the established cost limitation and bidding allowance, the requesting purchaser may request the approval of the City Manager, or his/her designee, to authorize the purchase from the local business.

This policy shall not be extended as a guarantee of purchase from local businesses. It shall be at the discretion of the City Manager to determine that the requested purchase meets the standards and quality of similar and like bids.

“Local business status” shall be defined as a business maintaining a site address within the corporate City limits and which possesses a valid City business license. “Bidding allowance” shall be defined as an allowance up to but not exceeding five percent of the bid or cost. “Cost limitation” shall be defined as purchase/bid price for services, supplies and contracts not to exceed $10,000.