The rule
No quotes required by state law or city policy. The department head buys from a vendor of their choosing and the invoice appears on the monthly claims list the council approves.
Authority: Minn. Stat. 471.345 subd. 5 (under $25,000: open market or quotes at the council's discretion); City of Kenyon Administrative Policy No. 34 (Aug. 20, 2024): departmental discretion under $5,000.
How it runs in Kenyon
- Department head identifies the need and picks a vendor, often a local one already on the claims list (Ace Hardware, Johnson Hardware, Reichel Insulation, Heyn Brothers).
- Vendor does the work and invoices the city, referencing the department.
- Finance places the invoice on the monthly claims list; the council approves all claims in one consent-agenda motion.
- Payment follows in the next check run.
What a vendor sends
- Introduce yourself to the department head (public works superintendent for streets, parks, pool and buildings; police chief for police; liquor store manager for the Muni; administrator for the office).
- Send a W-9 and a certificate of insurance once; they stay on file.
- Invoice promptly and clearly. A vendor who invoices cleanly gets called again without a quote.
Every award in this band
| Date | Item | Process | Awarded to | Amount | Bidders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-08 | Office insulation | sole | Reichel Insulation | $2,500 | Reichel Insulation |
| 2024-06-11 | City Hall cameras + panic buttons | sole | WH Security | — | WH Security |
| 2024-06-11 | City Hall door repair | sole | Johnson Hardware | — | Johnson Hardware |
| 2024-03-12 | Mower 60in Toro | quotes | Traxler Power | $2,459 | Traxler net $2,459; other net $4,500 |
| 2021-09-14 | Liquor store cameras/DVR | sole | WH Security | — | WH Security |
| 2021-05-11 | Gunderson House A/C | sole | Reliable Heating & Cooling | $4,765 | Reliable Heating & Cooling |
From the council record 2019–2026; each item links to its contract page with the proposal documents. Items without a recorded amount are placed by process.