What must happen before a public agency can enter into a contract?

Before a public agency can enter into a contract, confirming a budget appropriation is essential. This step ensures that the agency has allocated sufficient funds to cover the cost of the contract, which is a critical part of responsible fiscal management and compliance with laws governing public spending. Without this appropriation, any contract entered into could lead to financial liabilities that the agency is not legally authorized to incur, potentially resulting in violations of budgetary laws and regulations.

Choosing a vendor is indeed necessary after confirming the appropriation, but it cannot happen until the funding is assured. Similarly, while a public discussion or a formal invitation to bid could be part of the process for selecting a vendor or soliciting bids, these actions are contingent upon having the necessary budget in place first. Thus, without securing the budget appropriation, the public agency cannot proceed to the next steps required for entering into a contract.