Not sure how often, but last year the city started using a bid service that the state already uses, Mercury Commerce. It’s pretty common practice for government agencies to use these services. As a print estimator I comb through them everyday all over the country.
The benefit is they can save entities a lot of money, and in some cases get a better product. The down side is the local bidder doesn’t always win, and if they do, whose to say they are not using an out-of-state subcontractor to get it done? (That was always my suspicion about the EC construction and why certain things surrounding it’s construction are a secret).
Some would argue that even if we are paying a little more to use a local contractor, the money is being put back into the local economy.
The latest kerfuffle with the city website came as no surprise to me. I think the bigger question here is using this bid service saving tax dollars? Or do city employees need to learn more and do more?
The city updated its financial software decreasing the amount of paperwork needed for employees to buy things.
The new bid process is easier for finance and purchasing because it puts all the work on the vendor to fill out the forms and make sure they are filed with the city.
Less time filling out forms. Less paperwork. More of the work pushed on to the vendors/contractors.
So why did the finance department need to add all of those employees?
That’s my point. If this has streamlined bids, saves us money, gives us better service, hey, fantastic. But couldn’t we cut more staff?
If you try and look at the state website it is terrible.
In the research being done now, we are being told the new accounting software actually hides stuff really good. The reports give less information to work with. If you want answers, it takes a lot of time to find them. This is the type of software our administration will use to more easily snow the Council and citizens by Turdback. It can make pretty pictures better for the presentations.
The new process adds confusion and bypasses the council. There’s half a billion in debt. What’s wrong with the process is the out of control mayor awarding contracts without budget and before council approval.
It’s criminal but can’t be stopped without federal authority fraud intervention.
Comparably: We (the people) gave Huether our 35% credit card. He maxed it out on entertainment and cash withdrawals. Now we’re faced with bankruptcy and credit fraud. Our friends (the council) watched without telling us.