BCC Decision on Awarding Bids

[wrobert]

I wish like hell that they would sue the bunch of f---ing crooks and it would cost the county a million dollars. Then maybe they would through the rednecks out on their ass. I know I'm not the only one thinking this, am I?

Did you participate in the process that put these persons in office?

 

[GoodWitch58]

And you have spoken to the commissioners to find out what happened here? I do not see the ties, but am willing to admit I am wrong if you can point to proof instead of supposition.

As I said before, maybe you don't understand the meaning of Good Ole Boy System.....

 

[wrobert]

As I said before, maybe you don't understand the meaning of Good Ole Boy System.....

Yea that must be it. A major conspiracy is afoot, and I just do not understand.

 

[Smiling JOe]

And you have spoken to the commissioners to find out what happened here? I do not see the ties, but am willing to admit I am wrong if you can point to proof instead of supposition.

I didn't have to speak to the Commissioners regarding this issue to know, because Comm Brannon stated the reasons for his choice at the BCC Mtg. He stated he gave the project to the other bidder because "they were local and because they would do a good job." Being in the Good Ole Boy network doesn't always mean that people are corrupt, but I guarantee you that many people donate to campaigns hoping that they get a little more pull when it comes time for the candidate to vote on a decision involving the person or business donating. IN NO WAY AM I SUGGESTING THAT THE COMPANY BEING GIVEN THE JOB BY THE BCC IS CORRUPT, nor do I see their business name on the list of Scott Brannon's contributors. I've tried my best to not even mention their name in my posts because I think this particular situation has more to do with the BCC breaking its own rules for awarding bids. I will further add that I am 100% in favor of awarding bids to reputable local companies, which would keep more money and tax revenues in WalCo, even if the price came in higher, but within, let's say 1-2% of the low bid. However, don't publish the rules regarding the bids stating that the low bidder will be awarded the job. I'm no lawyer, but I'd think it would be fairly easy to create language which mentioned that the job would be awarded looking at collective information of the bidders, including but not limited to, amount of bid, previous comparable experience, other project completion times (ahead of schedule or behind), quality of previous jobs of similar nature, Walton County based business, etc.

You see, sometimes the Good Ole Boy network just means "keeping it local." However, in this case, where the BCC changed the Bidding Rules without publishing them up front, it appears that the Good Ole Boy network is filled with secret halls and passages and ends up appearing as though it is much more than the Commissioners trying to keep it local. It smells fishy. If you are going to make the rules, play by the rules.

 

[scooterbug44]

The company whose bid they rejected in favor of a "local company" is in Panama City. It's not like their motivation was keeping $ from going out of state or country :roll:. There is so much overlap between Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay I consider any business in that area "local".

Public projects must go to the lowest bidder, which is why there are so many rules/regs in place to keep the playing field fair. If they had concerns or special conditions, they can easily have made them part of the initial bid info and weeded out people/companies that way.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Why in the world would anyone want the "job" of County Commissioner in WalCo, which pays something like $37,500 per year? Comm. Brannon's reported net worth was well over a million dollars. Do you think he's doing it for the money? If they paid what other elected County officers receive in salaries, most are $100,000+, I could see someone wanting the job, but when you can make more cash by working as a bartender in a well established place down here, there has to be more to the reasons why millionaires would want the job.

 

[Busta Hustle]

Must be the "benefits"...

 

[Santiago]

Did you participate in the process that put these persons in office?

I didn't pay off anyone if that's what you mean WaltonGOP.

 

[wrobert]

I didn't pay off anyone if that's what you mean WaltonGOP.

So you believe that someone has to be paid off to get into office? I am just asking the questions here. I do not have an opinion at this time either way. I was at the first meeting when their was a question about the percentage of the contract that was being subbed. Ryan Douglas was recommending not to give it to the low bidder because they did not respond to a letter. The low bidder stated he did not know anything about the letter, the BCC tabled the matter because Ryan did not have a copy of the letter with him.

As for why someone would want any elected job, my reason would be to try to change some of these things that are constantly being brought up because I find them very aggravating and frustrating. And, for the life of me, do not understand how government can be so inefficient at what it has to do.

 

[wrobert]

Why in the world would anyone want the "job" of County Commissioner in WalCo, which pays something like $37,500 per year? Comm. Brannon's reported net worth was well over a million dollars. Do you think he's doing it for the money? If they paid what other elected County officers receive in salaries, most are $100,000+, I could see someone wanting the job, but when you can make more cash by working as a bartender in a well established place down here, there has to be more to the reasons why millionaires would want the job.

For what it is worth, Scott has a true love for that park that they are building. Maybe he felt someone other than the low bidder got his vision of things. If I see him, I will ask.