The new reverse bid process has a lot of people in government scratching their heads wondering how to do business after January 1st of next year.
Legislation supported by Senator John Polk requires that governmental entities utilize a new process called reverse bidding. Polk stated in the Clarion Ledger over the weekend when he was in private business he did not like the process but that has changed since he has a role in government. He feels the new process will save governmental entities ten to fifteen percent on purchases.
The way it is supposed to work is that a baseline price is established on items that are out for bid. Businesses then have the right to go in and offer the lowest amount they will offer the goods or services for. The bid and not the bidder will be made public which should entice others to bid a lower price.
There is concern on the local level expressed by the County Administrator as to how well this is going to work on single source items as well as items like the purchase of gravel. Regarding gravel it is not always about the price as it is location. If the gravel is needed in a rural part of the county it may be less expensive to pay a slightly higher price based on having to load it and truck it in. There is also the issue with small rural businesses having connectivity and being able to participate in the bid process.
Another item that is servicing is the platform on how the bid service is to be offered. While the items are place on the web it is has yet to be determine who will operate the site and how it will be managed. However, this and new ways of doing business may be on the horizon for business and government.
In other business the county is considering buying a 2003 International truck it has a Cummings engine. However, the transmission is shot. It was estimated it could be operational for around $3,500. The county is also considering the purchase of a 2010 Chevy 3/4 pickup for $2,000.
The board approved the purchase of an additional 2018 Ford Expedition to be added to the sheriff’s fleet. This will be an unmarked vehicle and will cost approximately $31,000.
Sheriff O’Cain announced that he has not filled the administrative position on his staff yet.
The board approved Shane Fewell going from part-time to full-time as a narcotics investigator. The board approved sending Michael Payne to the law enforcement academy.
The board approved advertising for a pumper truck for Station Seven Fire Department. The county is also advertising for a road broom.
There is concern from the board that there are not enough funds for bridge repair in the budget. The state closed bridges all over the county and it cost the county all the funds to get those bridges back in operation. There is concern that there are as many that were not inspected but need the same repair. There was discussion about an inner fund loans from other budgets but again there is not much in the way of excess in the budget.
The next meeting of the board is scheduled for November 15 at 9 a.m.
