Pasco County commissioners might soon give local vendors an advantage over their competitors when bidding on county government contracts.
Commissioners directed legal staff to amend the county’s purchasing ordinance to create a local preference system for contract bids, during an Aug. 22 workshop in Dade City.
For instance, a local company that offers the second lowest bid could become eligible for a contract by matching the low bid offer from a competitor. The rule would apply only within specific guidelines, based on how wide the gap could be between the bids.
Also, local engineers, architects and other professional service providers could get extra points when ranked by evaluation committees.
Pasco relies on businesses from inside and outside the county, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells.
But, giving preference to local businesses makes sense, he added. “It’s an economic driver. We owe it to people to keep money here.”
But, there are some caveats on how best to set the rules.
Defining which businesses qualify as local is one issue the ordinance would need to spell out.
“You have lots of franchises,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “A franchisee is really a local owner.”
The ordinance also might address a business’ longevity in Pasco, granting an advantage to companies that have been in Pasco longer.
Supporters say local preferences could increase the money that stays in Pasco, and encourage more local businesses to bid. But, disadvantages include discouraging out-of-county businesses from expanding into Pasco, and higher costs based on less competition.
“I’ve always been in favor of local (preference) if it doesn’t cost our citizens more,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “The devil is in the details.”
A survey by county officials found that Pasco could lose about 15 percent of current out-of-county bidders, if local vendors can match the low bid.
Nearly 400 responses were received from about 2,500 requests for completed surveys, county officials said.
County officials recommended changes in how county staff members are selected to serve on evaluation committees. The goal would be to provide a broader representation from all county departments.
However, there was sharp disagreement over whether to allow county commissioners to sit on these types of committees, specifically for professional services.
Wells and Commissioner Jack Mariano advocated in favor.
Mariano suggested it could be done on a rotating and voluntary basis. “You don’t have to do it, if you don’t want to,” he said.
Moore said commissioners could be pulled into lawsuits when bid awards were disputed.
“I’m not afraid of it,” Mariano said. “It doesn’t scare me whatsoever.”
Starkey and Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley also objected to commissioners doing committee work.
Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder recommended against it.
“I’m not saying you can’t do it,” he said. “I think it’s a bad idea.”
Commissioners opted against an official role for a member of their board to serve on the committees, though Wells and Mariano might opt to monitor the committee meetings.
Those meetings are open to the public.
Published September 13, 2017
