A motion to move forward with a local-purchase-preference policy for the City of Ketchikan is in front of the Ketchikan City Council on Thursday.
The policy was suggested by the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce as a way to support local businesses. In a memo to the Council, City Finance Director Bob Newell provided some possible language for an ordinance to spell out such a policy.
Newell suggests adding local procurement to a list of exemptions that allow the city 
manager to make purchases of up to $50,000 without City Council approval.
If the Council agrees to the language, city officials will draft an ordinance that will come before the Council at a later meeting.
Also Thursday, the City Council will vote on a final change order to the City of Ketchikan’s two-point chlorination facility. That facility is part of an ongoing effort to reduce federally regulated disinfection byproducts in the water supply.
The final change order will bring the overall cost of the new facility to $1.49 million.
The Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
