Finance committee approves purchasing agenda; members flag outside legal costs and food-service deficit

The Grand Rapids Public Schools Finance Committee approved the district’s purchasing agenda Monday and reviewed proposed adjustments to several blanket purchase orders, including copier leases, outside legal services, HVAC and plumbing repairs and bond-project commissioning services.

Committee members were told the district has spent more on outside legal counsel this year after turnover in the legal department and several investigations. District staff also flagged a deficit in the food-service fund that will require a transfer from the general fund of “a little over a million dollars,” and discussed procurement rules, thresholds and bid procedures.

The vote to approve the purchasing agenda passed on a voice vote after a motion and a second were made; the transcript records only verbal assent (“Aye”) with no roll-call tally.

Committee chair remarks and purchasing staff presentation During a brief public-comment segment the meeting moved into the purchasing agenda. Purchasing staff described the requested adjustments as routine amendments tied to year-to-date spending and unanticipated costs. Staff listed items included for approval or adjustment: copier and printer…