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Council raises questions about building-inspector charges and a $18,000 well repair under procurement rules
Summary
Council members asked for billing and contract details after staff reported charges for building‑inspector consultations not tied to permits and an $18,000 well repair that bypassed a competitive bid process; members asked staff to provide monthly payment details for outside contractors at the next regular meeting.
Eureka — Council members at a March work session pressed staff for detailed information about payments to outside contractors after concerns that building‑inspector charges and a recent water-well repair may not have followed expected procurement or billing practices.
Council member Jeremy Snell raised the issue of charges from the town’s building inspector, identified in the discussion as Chris Winston. Snell said he noticed line items billed to the city for phone consultations and other contacts that did not have associated building-permit applications. “I paid an $800 building permit, and I never once had him step foot on my property,” Snell said, describing a personal example that prompted broader questions about whether inspections are occurring as billed.
Trish, a city staff member handling payables, told the council that some inspection charges can be applied to a permit once a permit is filed; she said the city has also asked the inspector not to distribute his phone number to applicants because the city prefers email communication for tracking. Trish and other staff members agreed to compile and present a breakdown of monthly payments the city makes to outside contractors (building inspector, crossing guard and other contracted services) at the next regular council meeting.
Separately, council members questioned an $18,000 invoice for well repairs by a contractor referenced as Widdesen. One council member said the town recently paid that bill and worried the procurement policy adopted earlier this year had not been followed for the expense. Shay and other staff said the work had been performed and billed; the town has been told that only a limited number of vendors can perform that particular kind of well work. Council members asked staff to document whether emergency procurement exceptions applied and, if not, whether procurements or bids should be sought in the future.
Council members asked staff to look into disputing any charges that lack supporting permits or documentation and to bring payroll and outside-contractor payment details to the regular meeting for public review. Staff confirmed the treasurer’s report and payroll data are available in the meeting packet and on the shared drive and that they will present the requested itemized contractor payments.
No formal action was taken at the work session; council members requested follow-up information and possible next steps for contract compliance and procurement.
