NC S291

Authorizes Catawba County to give preference to local resident bidders in public contracts for goods, services, construction, and building repair work.

Allows the county to award contracts to a resident bidder if their bid is no more than 5% or $10,000 (whichever is less) higher than the lowest nonresident bidder's bid, provided the resident bidder then matches the lowest nonresident bid.

Defines "resident bidder" as a person or corporation legally authorized to do business in North Carolina with a physical place of business in the county for at least six months prior to bid solicitation and at least one employee with payroll taxes paid in the state.

Applies the same local bidder preference to informal bid procedures for contracts between $30,000 and the formal bid threshold.

Effective when enacted and applies to all bids received on or after the effective date; applies to Catawba County only.