Residents have through the rest of the month to comment on a final draft of one of the controversial procurement policies now available for review.
Imperial Irrigation District staff presented the first of two policies that will change how it procures goods and decides on contractors. Though work started before many in the public were calling for change, it has become an issue in the past few months, with groups like the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business keeping a close eye on it.
One of the issues that sparked the debate was a weed spray contract approved by the IID Board of Directors in November. The three-year contract, to kill weeds along IID canals and drains, was awarded to Eynon Management Inc. for $6.186 million through the contract period, about $3 million more than the lowest bidder.
One of the big issues for COLAB has been whether the district should fall under the state’s bidding policy or the Water Code. The new policy falls under the state bid process, said IID General Counsel Jeff Garber.
“What’s being proposed here probably goes further than the public bidding requirements, so I’m not sure why this is such a big issue here,” he said.
The state code is split into many sections, some of which the district can fall under, said Chief Executive Officer Michael Campbell. Staff and board members have been having long discussions on which to look into.
More of the changes that General Manager Kevin Kelley had asked for will be included in the second of the two policy codes, 2130. Those changes include prequalification, justification of why the lowest bid wouldn’t be chosen and an appeal process.
The public will be able to comment on the proposed changes, as the policy probably won’t come back to the board before next month, Kelley said. That will allow for the types of “give and take” the board is looking for.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
Imperial Irrigation District staff presented the first of two policies that will change how it procures goods and decides on contractors. Though work started before many in the public were calling for change, it has become an issue in the past few months, with groups like the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business keeping a close eye on it.
One of the issues that sparked the debate was a weed spray contract approved by the IID Board of Directors in November. The three-year contract, to kill weeds along IID canals and drains, was awarded to Eynon Management Inc. for $6.186 million through the contract period, about $3 million more than the lowest bidder.
One of the big issues for COLAB has been whether the district should fall under the state’s bidding policy or the Water Code. The new policy falls under the state bid process, said IID General Counsel Jeff Garber.
“What’s being proposed here probably goes further than the public bidding requirements, so I’m not sure why this is such a big issue here,” he said.
The state code is split into many sections, some of which the district can fall under, said Chief Executive Officer Michael Campbell. Staff and board members have been having long discussions on which to look into.
More of the changes that General Manager Kevin Kelley had asked for will be included in the second of the two policy codes, 2130. Those changes include prequalification, justification of why the lowest bid wouldn’t be chosen and an appeal process.
The public will be able to comment on the proposed changes, as the policy probably won’t come back to the board before next month, Kelley said. That will allow for the types of “give and take” the board is looking for.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
