FL H0167

Local governments must competitively award public construction projects over $300,000 (or $75,000 for electrical work) to licensed contractors, using cost estimates based on generally accepted accounting principles that include employee compensation, benefits, equipment, insurance, and materials

Governing boards may perform projects using their own services and employees after a public meeting with 21 days notice, majority vote finding it in the public's best interest, and disclosure of actual project costs to the Auditor General upon completion

County road and bridge construction using constitutional gas tax funds must be competitively bid, with exceptions for emergency work, projects under 5% of the 80% gas tax portion or $400,000, and sidewalk/curbing projects under $400,000

Additions, extensions, or upgrades to repair/maintenance projects are considered "substantial" and require competitive bidding if they exceed both the statutory threshold and 20% of total estimated project costs

Effective date: July 1, 2019