News

COUNTY COMMISSION

Panel OKs Local Preference in Procurement Bids


By Tom Palmer
THE LEDGER

Published: Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 3:25 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 6:27 a.m.

BARTOW | Unsuccessful local bidders on some Polk County government purchases could get a chance to match a low-bidders' price in some instances, under an ordinance the approved by county commissioners Wednesday.

IN OTHER ACTION
In other action Wednesday, the Polk County Commission:

Recognized Fleet Management employees Jimmy Roberts and Ron Camechis for acting quickly to save fellow employee John Brown from serious injury April 23 while they were adjusting a conveyor belt on a soil-cleaning machine.

Agreed to purchase 35 acres for $1.7 million from Larry and Kathy McCarty to expand Lake Myrtle Park.

Approved a resolution providing an offer of $403,800 in incentives to entice an unnamed pharmaceutical company Polk County and Lakeland officials are trying to attract.

Awarded an $870,986 bid to Kamminga & Roodvoets of Tampa to replace the Poley Creek bridge on Shepherd Road to relieve flooding.

Authorized Polk County Transit Services to execute paperwork for a $1.8 million grant to subsidize the system's operations.

Approved a $200,000 facilities use agreement between Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing and the Polk County School Board for youth basketball championships planned June 28 to Aug. 8.

Approved a $130,000 economic development marketing study proposed by the Central Florida Development Council and conducted by SRI International.

Appointed Danny Brantley, Dave Hoy, David Hupp, Ronald Schelfo and Charles Tucker to the Lakes Access Advisory Commission.

Appointed Dee Dee Chiavuzzi as an alternate to the Polk County Board of Adjustment.

Approved an amended agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to delay transfer of Skyview Utilities from Polk County Utilities to Lakeland until June 30, 2009, instead of June 30, 2008.

Approved a land-use permit to allow the expansion of the water plant serving the South County Jail.

Authorized county staffers to negotiate disaster debris removal contracts with CrowderGulf, Omni Pinnacle and D & J Enterprises and to negotiate an agreement with Beck Disaster Recovery for disaster debris management.

Extended the completion date of drainage improvements in the Forestgreen and Forestbrook subdivisions by Faller Davis & Associates to Dec. 1.

Recognized the Polk County Utilities Department for receiving an award for the operation of the regional sewer plant at Four Corners.

Set a hearing for 1:30 p.m. on June 4 to amend the county impact fee ordinance.

Approved a $73,430 impact fee mitigation request from Bella Vista Dental Medical Properties.

Recognized Wilma Daniels, manager of health and social services, for being honored by the West Central Florida Health Councils.

Related Links:

The ordinance was passed quickly without debate.

The "local preference" procurement ordinance provision will expire in two years, unless commissioners agree to extend it.

The change comes following repeated discussions about giving some preference to local businesses to aid local companies and their employees, particularly in the current economic downturn.

The preference will apply to any company that has an office and employees in Polk County.

However, the provision will apply to only a limited number of purchases.

The provisions include:

Applies to written bids of $50,000 or less.

The Polk County company must be the second-lowest bidder.

Its bid must be within 5 percent of the low bid.

The Polk County company must agree to match the low bid.

[ Tom Palmer can be reached at tom.palmer@theledger.com or 863-802-7535. ]


This story appeared in print on page B1

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