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f irm . <br />Commissioner Adams presented her reasons for favoring a local <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Adams, <br />SECONDED BY Commissioner Eggert, to award the <br />auditor contract to Berger/Harris. <br />Commissioner Eggert explained why she was no longer impressed <br />by the "Big Six" and why she had concern with the continued use of <br />the same auditor. Also, she recalled that the Board wanted the <br />lowest price. <br />Clerk Barton understood the Board's instruction was to get the <br />best price on behalf of the County. <br />Chairman Macht stated that the motion was: after ascertaining <br />that all four firms could do the job adequately, the committee was <br />to go for the best price. <br />Clerk Barton agreed that all four firms could do the job. <br />Commissioner Bird pointed out that the Board never worked <br />directly with the auditors, but the constitutional officers did and <br />they had recommended staying with Coopers & Lybrand. In fact, five <br />members of the six -member Selection Committee had ranked them #1. <br />Now the negotiating committee was also recommending them. He <br />thought Coopers & Lybrand's experience with counties and compliance <br />requirements was important and understood that more staff time <br />would be spent the first year in getting a new auditor up -to -speed. <br />Commissioner Eggert pointed out that a member of the <br />Berger/Harris group was formerly with Coopers & Lybrand, so it <br />wasn't like a stranger was coming in. <br />Clerk Barton reminded the -Board that his office was impacted <br />by the auditor more than any other entity because he is charged <br />with keeping the books of the BCC and also the Clerk. Another <br />concern was the first year changeover would be costly for staff's <br />time. He would like to see a bigger difference than $5,000 between <br />the two bids. <br />Chairman Macht was irritated that Coopers & Lybrand had <br />overcharged the County by $125,000 previously and felt the Board <br />wanted a searching evaluation of the County's fiscal practices, not <br />just comfort letters. He felt, from past experience, that <br />remaining with the same firm was always a problem. He recounted <br />recent negative news stories concerning Coopers & Lybrand and he <br />25 <br />June 20, 1995 <br />BOOK 95 PACE 4 7? <br />