Opinion Letter No. 51-71

November 24, 1971

Honorable Vernon Bruckerhoff
Representative, District 154
St. Mary's, Missouri 63673

Dear Representative Bruckerhoff:

This is in response to your request for an opinion as to whether a third class county must solicit public bids when contracting for ambulance service.

Sections 50.525 to 50.745, RSMo 1969, are known as "The County Budget Law." The County Budget Law was amended by Laws 1965, page 155, to apply to class three and four counties as well as class one and two counties which were the only classes of counties covered prior to that amendment. See Attorney General Opinion No, 80 June 23, 1971 a copy of which is enclosed herein.

Section 50.660, RSMo 1969, which is a part of the County Budget Law and, therefore, applicable to third class counties requires inter alia, that " . . . All contracts and purchases shall be let to the lowest and best bidder after due opportunity for competition, . . . " Therefore, a county of the third class contracting for ambulance service is required to secure public bids.

Very truly yours,

John C. Danforth
Attorney General