There may be established by the council upon recommendation by the city manager a division of purchases, the head of which shall be the city purchasing agent. The city purchasing agent shall be under the director of finance. The purchasing agent, pursuant to rules and regulations shall purchase, store, and distribute all supplies, materials, and equipment required by any office, department, board, or agency of the city. The purchasing agent shall also have power and shall be required to:

1. (1) Establish and enforce specifications with respect to supplies, materials, and equipment required by the city;
2. (2) Inspect or supervise the inspection of all deliveries of supplies, materials, and equipment, and determine their quality, quantity, and conformance with specifications;
3. (3) Have charge of such general storerooms and warehouses as the council may provide by ordinance;
4. (4) Transfer to or between offices, departments, or agencies, or sell surplus, obsolete, or unused supplies, material, and equipment.

(Acts 1953, No. 404, p. 472, §6.12.)