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Next, Commissioner Adams inquired what would happen if the bid process does not produce any offers as good as what is in place. Commissioner Ginn thought the incumbent contractor would bid. Commissioner Adams recounted some discussion from 1996 and recalled that it actually costs the contractor to continue the contract. Chairman Tippin questioned the concept of moving back from privatization to the County doing the work. Director Hubbs clarified that the actual analysis, a very significant part of the overall cost, will continue to be done by an outside laboratory. The intent was to have the operators take responsibility for that operation which is already on the site at the plant. He reviewed the Board's options and felt that both of the options were very workable. Commissioner Eggert shared Commissioner Adams' concerns. The important thing to her was training. She thought the Board needed clarification on the first option that training was included in the $115,472 and $98,026. She had concern about bringing in a new contractor who did not participate in its construction, would need to get acquainted with the wetland, and having them train our personnel, who are not really educated in that field of study. She believed it could be enormously costly to expect a newly -trained person to assume this responsibility. Commissioner Ginn thought any company that would bid on this would have knowledge in the subject. She asked if Director Hubbs anticipated that there were several companies that could do the work and would bid, and Director Hubbs indicated affirmation and added that he would welcome the current contractor's bid as well. Commissioner Ginn saw going out to bid as an opportunity to save some money and get good service as well. She did not think it was that difficult to do. Commissioner Adams assured her that it is a very difficult thing to do. She pointed out that the County put a fence around it for $88,000. She also spoke from her knowledge of plants about the vulnerability of plants in the wetlands. She credited former Utilities Director Terry Pinto with great vision and for having informed the Board of the many exciting possibilities of creating this wetland. But he also had warned them how easily the area could be negatively impacted by improper care. That concerned her a great deal. She had no problem with the training and thought it was important in case something were to happen to Ecotech, that somebody would be able to carry on. She felt it was a very April 28, 1998 89