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BOOK 103 FAGS ` 4 <br />Commissioner Adams requested the item be separated for discussion. She wanted the <br />bid awarded to the second lowest bidder, Atlantic Roofing, because it is a local company and <br />there is less than a 4% difference between the two lowest bids. <br />At the request of Chairman Macht, County Attorney Vitunac advised that our law <br />does not require us to take the low bidder, but if we do not, there has to be a statement made <br />as to the reason. <br />Commissioner Adams stated that they are a local bidder and are available to make <br />quicker calls. <br />In response to Commissioner Ginn, Administrator Chandler advised that Atlantic <br />Roofing is qualified to do the work. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED <br />BY Commissioner Stanbridge, to award Bid #9053 to Atlantic <br />Roofing of Vero Beach in the amount of $5,420.00 because they <br />are a local company. <br />General Services Director Tom Frame pointed out that local bids are always a <br />sensitive issue in local government. Although not yet totally familiar with the County's <br />policy, from his perspective recommendations are predicated on the lowest bid. If the <br />Commissioners wanted to award the bid to a local contractor, it would have to be a policy <br />decision. <br />Commissioner Ginn understood the County did not have a policy currently. <br />Chairman Macht cautioned that it was a very dangerous precedent with concerns of <br />reciprocity and retaliation. He recommended that if they were going to set a policy that the <br />percentage be pretty close. <br />Commissioner Adams recalled that the Board has done this infrequently in the past <br />when the bids were very close. She thought the County's requirements for local contractors <br />and the cost of doing business in the county was sufficiently high that sometimes their bids <br />have to be higher. She reiterated that in this case the difference was less than 4%. She <br />thought it was good business to do business with local contractors. <br />In response to Commissioner Ginn, County Attorney Vitunac counseled that the <br />ordinance says bids will be awarded to the low bidder. If the Board wanted to give <br />preference to local bidders, that ought to be_ quantified in the ordinance. In discussions with <br />APRIL 13, 1999 <br />12 <br />