One member of Grey Highlands council would like to see some changes to the municipality's purchasing and procurement bylaw.

At the Grey Highlands council committee of the whole meeting held on February 1, Councillor Paul McQueen proposed some changes to the municipality's purchasing policies that he implemented.

The suggestions by McQueen revolve around how the municipality advertises for upcoming projects and how tender openings are conducted.

McQueen pointed out that Grey Highlands is a very large municipality geographically and is served by many different newspapers. According to the municipality's purchasing policies all projects being tendered must be advertised in a local newspaper.

"Who determines the paper? There are no guidelines there. We have five area newspapers and we do need to be inclusive," said McQueen.

Acting CAO Lorelie Spencer explained that municipal employees decide which newspapers to use to advertise upcoming projects. She said what newspaper is chosen depends on the type of project and where the project is located in the municipality.

Grey Highlands staff will bring forward a report at council's next committee of the whole meeting to further explain the advertising policy.

McQueen also wanted to make sure an elected official attends all tender openings. Councillor McQueen said all tender openings are completely open to the public, but elected officials are not compelled by the purchasing and procurement bylaw to attend the openings.

"Somebody elected to this council should be there," he said.

McQueen said he wanted elected representatives present at all meetings in case of differences of opinions in the event municipal staff decides to disqualify a bid because it does not meet specifications. McQueen also wanted all members of council notified by staff of upcoming tender openings.

The suggestions for tender openings from Councillor McQueen did not draw any comments from other members of council. A resolution will come forward on the matter at council's next regular meeting.