Cape County Commission discusses bid process at Monday meeting

Associate Commissioner Jay Purcell initiated a discussion with the rest of the Cape Girardeau County Commission on Monday about county purchasing requirements that he thinks can prohibit buying steeply discounted items.

The county has an internal policy to obtain at least three quotes for any purchase over $500. By state statute, the county is required to formally request bids for purchases from $4,500 to $5,999 and to publicly advertise for bids for anything $6,000 and over. Purcell said sometimes officials become aware of marked-down items, such as vehicles, that would save the county money and asked the commission how to take advantage of them while following county guidelines.

Treasurer Roger Hudson said the purchasing requirements and inability to negotiate prices with vendors, as an individual buyer might, is "one of the inconveniences built into the system" that protects taxpayer interests. Purcell agreed that the process was part of the cost of government.

In the end, the commission decided that one solution would be to advertise for bids as required and invite suppliers advertising particularly good deals to submit a bid along with other candidates.

In other business, VIP Industries submitted a statement to the county of billings sent to the Cape County Board for Developmental Disabilities, which the board refused to reimburse. The total outstanding balance billed from July 2010 through February 2012 is $634,895.18. VIP Industries, a sheltered workshop for individuals with developmental disabilities in Cape Girardeau, and the board have been involved in litigation since last March. VIP Industries is suing the board for breach of contract. The board is countersuing for $1.5 million that VIP was reimbursed. Two trial dates were postponed, and a new date has not been set.

Purcell announced that Velosity Electronics of Cape Girardeau has agreed to be the third business to sponsor a hole in County Park North's 18-hole disc golf course. The first phase, a 12-hole course, is scheduled to open June 1.

salderman@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

1 Barton Sq., Jackson, MO

2400 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO