Colleton County governmental departments/divisions/units are exempt from purchasing certain items through the respective chief procurement officer’s area of responsibility. Colleton County government may exempt specific supplies or services from the purchasing procedures required in this section and for just cause by written decision of the county council who may limit or withdraw exemptions provided for in this section. The following exemptions are granted in this chapter:

1. The construction, maintenance and repair of bridges, highways and roads; vehicle and road equipment maintenance and repair; and any other emergency type parts or equipment related to the maintenance and repair of bridges, highways and roads;

2. The purchase of raw materials by the solid waste division and the roads and bridges divisions of the county;

3. Livestock, feed and veterinary supplies;

4. Articles for commercial sale by all Colleton County governmental departments/divisions/ units;

5. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, milk and eggs and other food items;

6. Colleton County museum and/or Colleton County library for the purchase of one-of-a-kind items such as paintings, antiques, sculptures, antique books and other similar objects. Before the purchase of any such objects, the head of the purchasing department/division/unit shall prepare a written determination specifying the need for such objects and the benefits to the county. In the case of the Colleton County library, the Colleton County library board shall review such determinations and forward a recommendation to the library stating approval, and the approval shall accompany any invoice vouchers submitted for payment to the Colleton County finance office;

7. Published books, periodicals and technical pamphlets;

8. Ammunition, weapons and specialized law enforcement equipment utilized by the Colleton County sheriff’s department;

9. The purchase of goods, products, and services by Colleton County government divisions/departments/units from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Division of Prison Industries and/or items purchased under South Carolina State Contract as certified in writing by the chief procurement officer. (Ord. 03-O-04 (part), 2003)