Kent city staff will need to consider buying “local first” for city purchases and contracts.

The Kent City Council voted 6-0 Nov. 17 to adopt an ordinance that directs city staff to use a “best efforts” approach to purchase items or set up contracts with Kent businesses, over companies from outside the city.

The local business preference ordinance does not mandate that city staff buy locally, but says staff must consider Kent businesses first for any purchases or contracts worth more than $250.

If a staff member picks an out-of-town company over a Kent business, that staffer must submit a report explaining why they chose the out-of-city business.

Councilwoman Jamie Danielson and Councilman Ron Harmon asked the city law department earlier this year to draft an ordinance instructing staff to buy local first.

Danielson said the request comes on the heels of the Council urging Kent residents to support their city by buying local. The city, she said, should follow suit.

“We had no formal ordinance,” Danielson said at the Nov. 17 Council meeting. “This gives a strong indication for the city to make purchases from Kent businesses if possible and support local businesses.”

City officials set a minimum purchase of $250 or more so that reports would not have to be submitted for smaller items purchased out of town.

There are several exemptions to the ordinance, including purchases under interlocal agreements, contracts for certain professional or technical services and contracts entered into under emergency situations.

A Kent business is defined in the ordinance as any company with at least one employee based in the city.

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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