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Zephyrhills debates its bidding policy
By BRADY DENNIS ZEPHYRHILLS -- City Council member Mike Bussell says he wants to give local businesses a leg up when it comes to bidding on city projects. But unless the city adopts a local preference ordinance, it will take breaking a state law to do it. The issue arose Monday during a 31/2-hour council meeting when Bussell suggested the city buy a parks utility vehicle from a local company, even though the company's bid was almost $340 higher than the lowest bid. The $7,735 bid, from L & G Hood Co. of Zephyrhills, also was $235 more than the city had budgeted for the vehicle, which is used to transport materials at job sites. Still, Bussell lobbied for the local bid instead of that of Field's Equipment Co. of Winter Haven. "I am not doing this because I know L & G Hood," Bussell said. "The Field's company has not paid one penny of taxes in the city. They haven't involved themselves the way local vendors have." Bussell's proposal drew criticism from several city officials, including City Manager Steve Spina. "Our policy doesn't allow for that," Spina said. "We'd all like to give local business people the edge if we can. But we have a role to play. I don't think anyone wants their taxes or fees going up just because we do things that favor (local) business. "It can drive up prices. And we sometimes have trouble getting bids as it is." Spina said he has been frustrated in recent months by what he perceives as several council members trying to help local merchants and friends and ultimately forgetting their obligation to the overall community. "I think there's a tendency that in a small town, knowing people has an influence on what we do," he said. "I understand that to some extent. But I also think we are charged with doing what's best for citizens and taxpayers. "I think there's a specific pattern of undue influence." Beyond that, City Attorney Tom McAlvanah pointed out that council members couldn't simply pick whom they wanted to receive a bid. He said state law demands that with sealed bids, the city must accept the lowest bid unless there is reason to think the bidder couldn't deliver as promised. McAlvanah said officials could adopt a local preference ordinance, but even that would present problems. L & G Hood, for example, is on Gall Boulevard, just south of the city limits. "How do you define what's local?" he said. "Does local mean just within the city limits. If so, (L & G) Hood wouldn't get a preference. There's a lot of gray area. It's a tough call. If worse came to worse, I'd say (let's have) no local preference." In the end, because member Jim Bailey was absent, the council voted 2-2 on accepting the lowest bid. Elizabeth Geiger and Cathi Compton voted to accept the lowest bid; Bussell and Clyde Bracknell voted against it. That means the bid effectively was rejected, and the city must now start the bidding process again. "This is not a big item, but there's a big principle here," said Mayor Roy Burnside. "It would be hard to argue that the low bid is not in the best interest of the city. And now we are trying to circumvent that policy." Despite the dissent, Bussell said he would support an ordinance to establish preferences for local businesses. He said any business with a Zephyrhills ZIP code should be considered local. "Maybe it's time the city is known for looking at local vendors to supply its needs," he said.
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