Procurement Policy Discussion Postponed

Consideration of a plan to change the way county supervisors chose companies for lucrative architectural and engineering projects was postponed Tuesday until Jan. 27, angering the president of the League of Women Voters.

Jean Askham told supervisors they repeatedly have postponed dealing with the county’s policy on procurement. “It looks as if you’re unable or unwilling to deal with an issue that is pretty important from the public’s point of view,” she said.

Critics of the county’s current system contend that the selection is based on influence, not qualifications, and has spawned an industry for local lobbyists to push their clients.

Askham said the league recommends that each county department present the board with a ranked set of finalists and that supervisors give reasons if they choose a company other than that which is ranked highest.