By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
During councilmember reports of Great Bend City Council’s online meeting Monday night, Alan Moeder mentioned he would like to see future discussion of local contractors getting jobs for city projects.
Moeder noted many industries are struggling right now with the way the economy is from COVID-19, and he would like to see more of an effort to give local contractors jobs, even if their proposals come in slightly higher than the low bid.
"I do not know if the current policy is being enforced, because I had a couple contractors call me not happy," said Moeder. "They tell us it is three to five times on the turnover of money staying in the community when you keep it local. That would be a great economic impact for Great Bend."
Moeder proposed that local contractors be awarded city projects if they are within five percent of the low bid. Moeder noted the city currently has a three-percent rule, not to exceed $5,000.
Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis has sent out emails to other cities on their policy and says it varies from zero to 10 percent.
"This applies for projects we are funding," said Francis. "A KDOT-like bid requires us to follow their bid procurement. They take the low bid."
Francis did have a concern about not capping the dollar amount, because the five-percent rule has a different impact for bigger projects. For example, a $500,000 project would potentially mean an extra $25,000 the city would have to spend for a local contractor that was within five-percent of the low bid.
Francis noted he was open to revisiting the topic at the next meeting.