West Haven council waives bid process to contract personal-property auditors, cites limited vendor market

The City Council approved a motion — recommended by the finance committee — to waive the city's purchasing and competitive-bidding requirements for personal-property-audit services for a one-year period so staff may contact three specialized vendors directly for price quotes.

Finance Director Michael Gormeny told the council that only a few companies in Connecticut perform third-party personal-property-audit work and that the city's assessor and finance staff surveyed roughly 14 municipalities to identify the three commonly used vendors. He said the audits work with the assessor's office to review business declarations and may trigger on-site visits where documentation suggests discrepancies.

Council members clarified the scope: the work targets business personal-property accounts (not residential), contract terms could be up to three years consistent with city code if needed (but staff expects a shorter engagement), and fee structures and exact vendor names were still being finalized. The finance committee voted to recommend the waiver and the full council subsequently approved the motion.

The committee report stipulates that at least three vendors be contacted for price comparisons and that the waiver be effective for one year. The stated objective is to identify underreported personal property and increase the city's grand list and collections; staff said some vendors will operate on fee arrangements that may include a revenue-share component.

The council motion carries conditions that the finance director and assessor return with vendor terms and recommended contracting steps.