The city may appoint a purchasing agent/officer whose duties shall be defined by the city manager. Those duties may include: procurement, soliciting bids and proposals, negotiating, recommending and administering contracts, advising departments and employees on procurement, maintaining vendor and bidder lists and files and other records needed for the efficient operation of his or her duties, making written determinations for the city, the development and maintenance of forms as are reasonably needed for the purposes of this chapter, and supervising the inspection of supplies and equipment. The purchasing agent may recommend rules and regulations to govern matters covered by this chapter, including, but not limited to, protests and appeals, the preparation, maintenance, and content of specifications for supplies, services, and construction required by the city. One or more assistants may be employed to assist the purchasing agent in performing his/her duties. [Ord. 06-18-2013A § 2].