The City Council voted Tuesday night to raise the amount required for sealed bids on city purchases from $10,000 to $25,000.
Brent Goldberg, deputy chief operating officer, said the $10,000 amount had been in place since 1999.
He said it had been changed from $4,500 in 1991.
Mr. Goldberg said the higher level would help minority and women-owned businesses because it was onerous to them to go through the sealed bid process. He said on lower amounts the city gets at least three quotes for an item.
He said an effort will be made to contact minority firms on city purchases, and he said the opportunities would be advertised in the minority city newspaper.
The council will vote later on whether to also raise the level involving City Council oversight on purchases. It stands at $10,000.
Mr. Goldberg said it traditionally is at the same level as the amount required for a sealed bid, which means it also would be raised to $25,000.