Delegation of Authority for Signing and Administering Contracts, Change Orders, Deeds, Leases, Amendments, and Other Instruments

Document Code No.: CON 7-3-1 (AEO)
Department/Issuing Agency: Office of the Executive
Effective Date: June 26, 1998
Approved: /s/ Ron Sims
Type of Action: New

Signed Document (PDF, 245 KB)

This executive order was superseded by CON 7-3-2 (AEO) on December 28, 2006.

This order delegates to Department Directors and certain others the authority to sign and administer Contracts, Agreements, Change Orders, Deeds, Leases, Amendments, and Other Instruments.

WHEREAS, Section 320.20 of the King County Charter authorizes the King County Executive to "...sign, or cause to be signed, on behalf of the County all deeds, contracts and other instruments "; and

AS, Section 850 of the Charter provides that powers and duties of a county officer may be delegated by that officer to another officer or employee of the County under the control and supervision of the delegating officer; and

WHEREAS, to ensure decisions related to signing and administering such deeds, contracts and other instruments are made at the appropriate level within the executive branch of County government, it is desirable to delegate authority to the Deputy County Executive and Department Directors and to authorize them to further delegate such authority to qualified subordinates; and

WHEREAS, prompt processing and administering of such instruments is beneficial to King County, its contractors and other persons doing business with the County;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron Sims, King County Executive, hereby delegate the authority to negotiate, sign, administer, and settle contracts, agreements, and other instruments, including, but not limited to, public works contracts, architecture/engineering contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding with other government agencies, permit documents, grant documents, environmental review documents and enforcement documents, and amendments and change orders thereto, to the Deputy County Executive and Department Directors responsible for managing the work or services specified in such contracts, agreements, and other instruments, subject to the following:

1. Competitive Procurement and Conflict of Interest Requirements. Not withstanding CON 7-8 (AEP) 7.4, such contracts and agreements, including change orders and amendments, that were authorized by the applicable department, agency or office, and complied with appropriate competitive procurement procedures, conflict of interest provisions and minority/women/disadvantaged business enterprise and affirmative action policies and procedures.

2. Contracts Within Appropriations. Such contracts and agreements do not commit the County to amounts in excess of appropriations.

3. Emergency Contracts. For contracts or agreements which are clearly an emergency as defined in statute, prior review and approval by both the Department Director responsible for managing the work or services specified in such contracts and agreements and by the Director of Finance or designee within the appropriate procurement division. Should the emergency be $250,000 or greater or should the responsible department lack appropriation for the emergency, the Department Director shall be responsible for preparing the motion or ordinance necessary for proper council action as set forth in council ordinance and other applicable Executive Orders, Policies and Procedures.

4. Single Source and Other Propriety Contracts. For contracts and agreements of $25,000 or less, including public works, which are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply or other proprietary circumstances, prior review and approval is required by the Director of Finance or designee within the appropriate procurement division. For contracts and agreements over $25,000, including public works, which are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply or other proprietary circumstances, prior review and approval is required by both the Department Director responsible for managing the work or services specified in such contracts and agreements and by the Director of Finance or designee within the appropriate procurement division.

5. Judicial Administration. Contracts and agreements awarded by or on behalf of Judicial Administration shall be signed by the Deputy Executive.

6. Compliance with Funding Agency Requirements. When the procurement involves the expenditure of federal and/or state funding, the method of procurement will comply with funding agency requirements.

FURTHER, I delegate authority to procure revenue-producing Transit vehicles, including but not limited to buses, vans, trolley buses, and streetcars ("buses"), and to administer bus procurement contracts and amendments to the Director of Transportation for subdelegation to the Transit General Manager. The Director of Transportation in consultation with the Director of Finance shall establish competitive procurement procedures meeting Federal Transit Administration contract and administrative requirements.

FURTHER, I delegate the authority to sign deeds, easements, purchase agreements and other real property instruments related to the purchase or acquisition of real property interests to the Director of Construction and Facilities Management for subdelegation to the Property Services Division Manager or designee, the Director of the Department of Transportation and the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, subject to their respective authorities as set forth in ordinances; provided such purchases are duly authorized and do not commit the County to amounts in excess of appropriations for such purchases.

FURTHER, I delegate the authority to sign deeds, easements, sale agreements and other real property instruments related to the sale of real property interests to the Director of Construction and Facility Management for subdelegation to the Property Services Division Manager or designee.

FURTHER, I delegate the authority to sign monthly rental agreements and annual lease agreements for real property in which the County is either the lessor or the lessee to the Director of Construction and Facility Management for subdelegation to the Property Services Division.

FURTHER, the Deputy County Executive and Department Directors may delegate authority in writing to deputy directors and division managers under their control and supervision. Deputy Directors and Division Managers may further delegate authority with the written approval of the applicable Department Director. Department Directors shall maintain complete records of all delegations and subdelegations made pursuant to this Executive Order.

FURTHER, I hereby ratify and confirm actions taken by Department Directors, and those to whom Directors delegated authority, in signing contracts and agreements from and since January 12, 1997 to the extent such actions and delegations were consistent with the requirements set forth above in this executive order. From the effective date hereof, Department Directors shall ensure that delegations of authority for signing contracts and agreements comply with the terms of this executive order.

This order shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded.

/s/ Ron Sims, King County Executive

ATTEST:

/s/ Larry Alcantara, Manager
Records and Elections Division