Sample Only
Sample Disposal of Surplus City Assets Policy
- Council Determines Surplus: Assets of the City that are no longer
useable, are no longer of value to the City, or are surplus to the City's
needs may not be removed from City ownership, sold, or in any other way disposed
without a declaration by the City Council.
- Reassignment of Assets: When a City department makes a determination
that an asset is surplus to its needs, notification shall be made to the City
Administrator [Mayor, City Manager]. Prior to bringing the item to
the City Council for a declaration of surplus, the first option will be reassign
the asset within the City where it can be of use or value.
- Minimum Requirements: If it is not possible to be reassigned, the
City Administrator [Mayor, City manager] shall prepare the asset
for a determination by the City Council. Each asset requiring a declaration
of surplus must have a value assigned and a recommended method of disposal.
- Methods of Disposal: Primary methods of disposal to the general public
are recognized as direct sale, sealed bid, trade-in or auction. Other methods
of disposal to the general public must be clearly detailed in writing and
must have the consent of the City Council.
The City Council may transfer a surplus asset to another public agency upon written request and a determination that it is in the public interest to do so. Such request shall specify the asset and the inability of the agency to otherwise afford to buy it. The City Council may elect to trade assets, authorize the Mayor [City Manager] to negotiate payment or transfer it without compensation.
- Additional Requirements; Assets Over $50,000; Utility Assets: If
the aSset proposed as surplus is evidence released by the Court, seized assets
or unclaimed property, the City Administrator shall review the appropriate
statutes prior to asking the City Council to declare it surplus. If the value
of the asset is estimated to be more than $50,000, and if the sale or conveyance
is to another governmental entity, the provisions of Section 39.33.020 RCW
shall apply. This includes several requirements, including a public hearing
and certain notice provisions. If the asset was originally purchased for utility
purposes, the provisions of Section 35.94.040 shall apply. This includes several
requirements, including a resolution and public hearing.
- Final Determination of Value: When disposal is made to the general
public through direct sale, sealed bid or auction, final determination of
value shall be the highest responsible bid or offer.
- Prohibited Benefit; Delegation of Authority: It is recognized that City Council members are prohibited by state law from benefitting from the disposal of public assets of the City. The City Council may elect to delegate the task of declaring items surplus to the Mayor [City Manager] or City Administrator by amending or adding to this policy and identifying the conditions thereof within this policy. If such a delegation is made, the prohibition of benefitting from the disposal of public assets is extended to the Mayor [City Manager], if the Mayor [City Manager] is delegated, or the Mayor and City Administrator if the City Administrator is delegated.