Council tables resolution to continue using GovDeals after residents and business owners raise licensing and transparency concerns

The Vienna City Council on April 24 deferred action on a resolution authorizing sales of city personal property by internet auction after residents and a local business owner raised questions about the chosen platform, GovDeals.

Rob Phelps, who said he owns local auction businesses, told the council GovDeals is not a government entity, may not hold West Virginia business or auctioneer licenses, and charges buyer fees and deposit wiring requirements that reduce local participation. Phelps said private sales to local bidders sometimes produce higher net returns for municipalities and argued the city should prioritize local, licensed auctioneers.

Council members and staff discussed the city—s prior use of GovDeals, which the city set up several years earlier. The finance director said the city—s initial sales on the platform had been successful compared with previous local auctions. Several council members agreed the city should revisit the choice of vendor and consider local providers; they moved to table the resolution pending further research and recommendations from staff.

During the discussion council referenced statutory notice requirements for sale of public property and said the city will compare platforms and revisit the resolution after gathering information. The transcript names the relevant statutory notice requirement as "West Virginia Code —7-8-12-18b" in the auction resolution language read into the record; staff indicated that the city would publish required legal notices if and when the sale takes place.

The motion to table passed unanimously. Council asked that Rob Phelps provide additional documentation to the city attorney for review.