ART - Yakima County/City of Yakima 2012

The document discusses the consolidation of the purchasing departments of Yakima City and Yakima County in Washington state. The consolidation aimed to achieve cost savings, greater efficiency, and leveraged buying power. However, there were challenges due to differences in purchasing laws and procedures between the city and county. The document also highlights the benefits of the consolidation, such as increased productivity, shared knowledge, and a one-stop shop for local suppliers. The document mentions the increase in the number of purchasing cards and the administration of the program by the finance department. The workload of the combined department is described as unrelenting, with numerous projects to handle. The document concludes by stating that merging purchasing functions can lead to efficiencies and savings, but it requires management support and alignment between the entities involved.