Council looks into local bidding incentives

Down the road, local businesses could get a break when bidding on city vehicles or other items.

As a way to do business locally, Mayor Dennis Berry directed city staff to look into the possibility of it being legal to give some kind of incentive to local businesses when the city lets bids for new or used items.

Some counties already offer incentives, such as a five percent discount, Mayor Berry said. City Manger Kurt Fritsch said that other states offer incentives and that it is likely it can be done here as well.

On several occasions, bids from local companies came within $900 of the bid selected, Fritsch said.

A consent agenda item was pulled from the agenda by Mayor Berry as an example.

The bid from Bill Summers Ford was approved by the Council for a 2008, 3?4 ton, 4-wheel drive pickup for the Solid Waste Collection Department for $18,930.

The bid was the lowest out of five sealed bids and met all the specifications. But bids from local businesses were close, with $19,795 from Wagner Ford, $20,500 from Deveney Motors, $21,989 from Wagner Chevrolet and $22,193 from Lee Janssen Motors.

Mayor Berry also asked that in the future city staff take a look at new versus old vehicles and specifications.

During Council Comments, Mayor Berry asked that city staff consider an item for future meetings that would re-name the airfield at McCook Regional Airport as Sen. Ben Nelson Field.

He cited Nelson's efforts in securing Essential Air Service funding for the airport and that he is the only person from McCook in 125 years to be both a governor and state senator.

The council also authorized City staff to reject the bid offered to operate the concession stand at the Jaycee Ball Complex and to re-negotiate.

The city has had difficulty in obtaining a bid to operate the "Snack Shack." The one offer that came in, $100, was considered too low as it would not even cover the electric bill, according to Kyle Potthoff, Public Works Director.

He requested authorization to re-negotiate in an effort to come up with something that would make it worth while for the city and the bidder.

Potthoff told the council there is no charge to use the ball fields, or for maintenance or utilities.

"This is one opportunity to make a little revenue," he said Councilman Marty Conroy voted in favor with the rest of the council to re-negotiate, but also commented that the city should just accept the bid.

"Take the $100 and be happy someone is in there," he advised.