Committee authorizes RFQs for temporary economic development and planning services starting July 1

The Marshfield Finance Budget and Personnel Committee on April 15 voted to recommend that the Common Council authorize two requests for qualifications (RFQs): one for temporary economic development services and a companion RFQ for temporary municipal planning services, both effective July 1, 2025.

City Administrator Steve Bargh presented the items and said he had earlier considered combining economic development and planning services under a single consultant but decided to continue with separate contracts because the city remains actively recruiting for a senior planner and a development services director. Bargh said the city has relied on consultants for several years: Cedar Corporation provides economic development support through Josh Miller (about 10 hours a week) and the planning services have been provided by a consulting firm for approximately two to three years.

Bargh proposed a five-member review committee to evaluate RFQ responses; the proposed membership is the mayor, the finance budget and personnel chair or designee, the city administrator, the finance director and the public works director. The economic development RFQ would solicit temporary services beginning July 1, 2025. The planning RFQ would solicit a 12-month engagement from July 1 through June 30, with an option to extend for six months if both the council and the provider agree.

Bargh said the process will produce recommendations to the committee and the full council. Committee members moved, seconded and approved both authorizations by voice votes.

A committee member later asked for a future agenda item to update the status and history of the development services director and senior planner positions and noted that the city has been operating with consulting coverage and identified prior contract costs/ rates in the meeting record for follow-up.