Wyandotte Creek GSA approves $104,000 direct-award contract for fee study; waives competitive procurement

The Wyandotte Creek GSA on Oct. 23 approved a professional services contract with Hansford Economic Consulting for $104,000 and waived the competitive procurement process to keep the work on the Sigma grant timeline.

Staff said Hansford previously completed work for neighboring GSAs and has experience with Prop 26 fee mechanisms. The contract will support stakeholder outreach, a five-year budget projection and production of a Prop 26–compliant fee report; staff estimated roughly 80% of the work could be completed by March if the consultant continues an approach similar to a prior August presentation.

"One of the reasons we're looking into a new fee study is that the Vina GSA just north of us recently passed a new fee mechanism through the Prop 26 process," staff said, explaining the rationale for using a consultant already familiar with local fee mechanics. Staff also told the board there is approximately $100,000 in Sigma grant funds available to offset costs.

A motion to approve the contract and to waive competitive procurement was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote. Board members discussed the need for stakeholder outreach, and staff outlined an outreach plan that includes an advisory-committee meeting on Nov. 6 and a public data-gaps meeting on Nov. 13 at The Grange.

The contract award and waived procurement allow staff to begin work promptly to meet grant and adoption timelines; staff said legal counsel drafted the written justification for a direct award, citing consultant familiarity with the agency and cost-effectiveness.