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Board discusses cooperative purchasing, targeted-ward projects and scheduling as part of agenda review
Summary
During agenda review the board discussed a cleanup resolution to streamline purchases from state cooperative procurement lists, tracking of such purchases, and targeted-community engineering services for Ward 6; directors asked for cost-percentage details and assurances that local vendors are considered.
Board members reviewed agenda items and asked staff for clarifications on several administrative items, including a resolution to authorize purchases from state cooperative procurement lists and a targeted-community engineering services item for Ward 6.
Staff explained the cooperative purchasing resolution would allow the city to procure from vendors on state-approved cooperative lists without running a full RFP each time; staff emphasized the contracts would still come before the board for approval and the change is intended to expedite procurement. Finance and procurement staff said the city will bring an annual resolution listing cooperative agreements and will include recitals in future contract resolutions indicating the cooperative source to improve tracking.
Director Adcock asked whether the city would use targeted community funds for the Ward 6 projects and where similar projects for other wards stood; staff referenced Resolution 16405 (passed in August 2024) as the board action that identified Ward 6 projects and said staff is working with other ward representatives on projects for their wards. Director Adcock also asked that Little Rock businesses be considered first; staff said state cooperative lists are statewide and that only some specialized goods or services are available locally.
Regarding engineering services, directors asked staff to provide the total contract amount and percent of design fee to project cost; staff said engineering services typically are negotiated and often run around 10% depending on project scale and promised to supply the specific percentage for the agenda item.
Why it matters: The cooperative purchasing clarification affects timelines for acquiring goods and services while preserving board oversight. The targeted-community discussion affects which neighborhood projects advance and how city funds are allocated.
What’s next: Staff said it will provide the requested contract-percentage details for the Ward 6 engineering services item, include cooperative-purchasing recitals in future resolutions for tracking, and continue outreach to ward representatives and neighborhood associations.
