A county committee voted to recommend West and Company as the county’s auditor and to forward that recommendation to the full board, with the caveat that the state’s attorney review the bids to ensure they conform to the county’s RFP.

Committee members reviewed four proposals from West and Company, CliftonLarsonAllen, Baker Tilly and Sikich. The bids covered annual audit fees for 2025–2027 and included an additional federal single audit line item in some proposals. Members raised concerns that the lowest bidder, Baker Tilly, might not have included Central Illinois Public Transit (CIPT)/the transit single audit in the base price; committee members noted that omission as a scope concern.

Committee discussion focused on two points: whether to accept the lowest responsive and responsible bid and whether prior local experience should factor into the recommendation. The county’s attorney advised that the board must accept the lowest responsible bidder and that responsibility depends on meeting RFP scope and having qualifications and resources to complete the work.

Jeremy moved and Sandy seconded a motion to recommend West and Company to the full board, subject to the state’s attorney confirming the recommendation is legally permissible; the motion carried.

Committee members asked staff to clarify outstanding assumptions in bids (for example, an estimated $6,000 annual charge for transit single audits in some proposals) before final contract award by the full board.