County road commissions would seek bids for major purchases

County road commissions would seek sealed bids for certain purchases. The rules cover purchases by county road commissions, including passenger vehicles and trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds. For machines, tools, appliances, and materials, sealed bids are required when a purchase exceeds $75,000, with the dollar amounts adjusted annually for inflation. Emergency purchases are exempt from the sealed-bid requirement, but the emergency limit must not exceed $250,000. Surplus property from state or federal governments may be purchased without sealed bids. The state treasurer would adjust the dollar amounts for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and each later fiscal year.

Each county road commission would take reasonable steps to give minority-owned businesses an equal chance to compete for its work and purchases. The requirement covers minority business enterprises seeking contracts or service purchases from a county road commission. Each commission would issue a plan for carrying out this requirement.

A county road commission may pay for public property in installments under a contract or agreement. This applies to real or personal property bought by a county road commission for public purposes. The property may be used as collateral for the purchase agreement. Payments may extend up to 30 years or the property's useful life, whichever is shorter.