What kinds of municipal contracts don't have to be competitively bid under state law?
State law only requires competitive
bidding for municipal contracts involving public construction with an
estimated cost exceeding $25,000. Therefore, contracts that do not
involve public construction are not subject to the state bid law requirements.
There are many types of municipal
contracts that do not involve public construction. These include
contracts for the purchase or sale of real estate; contracts for
ambulance, refuse pickup, recycling or similar services, and; contracts
for the purchase of fire trucks, dump trucks, backhoes, police cars and
other general use equipment. They also include contracts for
engineering, architect and other professional services even if related
to municipal projects. Aqua-Tech, Inc. v. Como Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District, 71 Wis.2d 541, 239 N.W.2d 25, 28 (1976).