Awarding of certain contracts; public lettings; bond; exemptions

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), in K.S.A. 19-216a, and amendments thereto, all contracts for the expenditure of county moneys for the construction of any courthouse, jail or other county building, or the construction of any bridge, highway, road, dam, turnpike or related structures or stand-alone parking lots in excess of $25,000, shall be awarded, on a public letting, to the lowest and best bid. The person, firm or corporation to whom the contract may be awarded shall give and file with the board of county commissioners a good and sufficient surety bond by a surety company authorized to do business in the state of Kansas, to be approved by the county attorney or county counselor, in the amount of the contract, and conditioned for the faithful performance of the contract. (b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply: (1) To the expenditure of county funds for professional services; (2) to the provisions of K.S.A. 68-521, and amendments thereto; (3) to the purchase of contracts of insurance; or (4) to the repair of any courthouse, jail or other county building or the repair or replacement of any such building's equipment when an emergency based upon public health or safety is declared by the board of county commissioners. Such emergency shall be defined as an occurrence of severe damage to a building or its equipment resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, explosion, riot, terrorism or hostile military or paramilitary action, or events of similar nature or character. Such damage must be so severe it prevents the building or equipment from being used for its intended function. Construction of a replacement building remains subject to the provisions of subsection (a).