The provisions of this Charter are severable. If any provision should be declared unconstitutional or inapplicable, it shall not affect the constitutionality or applicability of any other provision of this Charter.
(1) 
The County Council shall establish, by ordinance, procedures for purchasing supplies, services, materials and equipment, the awarding of contracts, the processing of claims, and the sale or refunding of bonds. The ordinance shall provide when bids shall be required and how invitations for bids shall be advertised.
(2) 
All purchases, contracts and bonds subject to bid procedures shall be advertised and, unless all bids are rejected, shall be awarded on the basis of sealed bidding to the lowest responsible bidder.
All franchises granted by the County Council shall be for fixed term not to exceed twenty-five (25) years, and no exclusive franchise shall be granted for the use of any street, road or public place.
The County Manager shall establish procedures for maintaining a modern, efficient system for processing, maintaining and disposing of information and records; shall maintain a means to store and maintain, in retrievable manner, all County records which should not be destroyed and which are not necessary for the current operation of County government; and shall provide needed services for all branches of County government in a way that shall be deemed desirable for the efficient operation of the County government. These procedures shall be in compliance with general law and shall affect all departments of the County, elective or appointed.
(1) 
In the exercise of its powers and in the performance of its duties, the county shall ensure that no person is discriminated against in hiring and conditions of employment, compensation, or termination of county officers or employees, or in the treatment of residents and visitors in the provision of government services on account of sex, race, color, national origin, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, body type, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, status as a care provider for dependents, military status, or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. The County Council, department heads, and elected officials shall take all steps necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section consistent with the county, state and federal constitutions, laws, and regulations.
(2) 
In the contracting of professional services with any person, firm, organization, corporation, or other non-governmental entity, the County shall ensure adherence to the grounds listed in clause (1). For the purchase of goods, and those services and goods acquired through cooperative purchasing, the County should direct vendors to adhere to clause (1) to the maximum extent possible. This restriction does not apply to contracts and grant agreements with public entities.