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DEC <br />BOOK �(8 PAGE 531 <br />Commissioner Eggert felt that was good, and Chairman Wheeler <br />commented that he had understood that in Road & Bridge they would <br />use their master list on smaller projects, but on major projects <br />we would be going out for RFPs. Did he understand that <br />correctly? <br />Public Works Director Davis informed the Board that they <br />have been using consultants on continuing contracts for some <br />small jobs such as petition pavings where the engineering cost <br />is $6,000 or less per project, but the statutes were changed last <br />year to increase the threshold up to $25,000 for planning study <br />or 1/2 million for construction, and depending where you fall in <br />those thresholds, you can use a continuing contract. <br />Administrator Chandler commented that one thing he is <br />concerned about and has been looking at very closely is the turn- <br />over of staff and the workload in Public Works. We have had a <br />vacancy for a Project Engineer since this past summer and have <br />had a vacancy for several months for Traffic Engineer, but will <br />have someone coming on board about the 15th of this month. <br />Therefore, he has exercised more flexibility in Public Works just <br />to be sure we get the job done, and if we can't get somebody on <br />board on the other vacancies (County Engineer and Project <br />Coordinator), he may be coming in to recommend that we utilize <br />consulting engineers just because of the daily workload. <br />Commissioner Scurlock stressed that he did not want to <br />suggest that this problem is just in Utilities; he just happens <br />to be more familiar with that area. We do have various on-going <br />relationships throughout the county. For instance, with your <br />architectural services for phasing of the Jail, you don't want to <br />jump ships, but there is always a provision that says they can be <br />out on 30 days' notice if you are unhappy with their work. <br />Commissioner Scurlock stressed that while he wants to streamline <br />the competitive consultant process, he also wants to be competi- <br />tive and felt we must continue to evaluate this policy. <br />26 <br />