Ocala trustees debate continuity vs. cost as they narrow finalists
Trustees compared the finalists' capabilities, stressing institutional knowledge and continuity after the prior administrator's departure while weighing lower-cost all-in offers. They asked staff to compile comparative pricing and contact client references before a vote.
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After the presentations trustees held an extended discussion comparing vendor experience, local availability and pricing. One committee member summarized the field by saying the "last three" (Foster & Foster, NiHart and Lauterbach) were strongest, citing portals, scale and scope. Several trustees emphasized the risk of losing institutional knowledge after Alicia's departure and said continuity with an experienced vendor who knows Ocala’s COLA and plan quirks was a major consideration.
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