In a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the procurement process for operational contracts, particularly the decision to hire CWS without an independent review. A council member highlighted a letter from the council of governments stating that the local authority was unqualified to conduct the necessary evaluations and had not sought external assistance. Despite this, the council recommended proceeding with a contract for CWS, raising questions about the impartiality of the review process.

Critics argued that hiring CWS to develop a master plan while simultaneously having a financial stake in the operations contract compromised the integrity of the evaluation. The council member emphasized the need for an independent and impartial review, suggesting that the current approach lacked transparency and objectivity.

Furthermore, the discussion pointed to a flawed procurement strategy, with calls for a request for proposals (RFP) instead of a request for qualifications (RFQ). The council member contended that an RFP would have encouraged innovative solutions and diverse ideas for improving operations, rather than merely confirming the capabilities of existing contractors. The absence of input from the county council on the quality ranking factors used to evaluate submissions was also criticized, as it appeared to favor the current contractor.

Overall, the meeting underscored the necessity for a more transparent and competitive procurement process to ensure that the best practices and ideas are utilized in managing county operations.