The Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved Item 22, a contract with Morris & McDaniel Inc. to administer promotional exams for the Sheriff’s Office, in a 11‑0 recorded vote following an extended question‑and‑answer period about sole‑source procurement and fairness.

What drew attention: Commissioner Erica Sugarman and others pressed purchasing and Sheriff’s Office officials for demographic data and asked whether any other vendor could supply an equivalent exam. Purchasing staff and Sheriff’s Office representatives said the vendor’s materials and testing platform are proprietary and that Morris & McDaniel has a track record of defending exams from legal challenge; an emailed sole‑source justification and supporting documents were referenced and provided to commissioners.

Key exchanges: Commissioner Sugarman recounted concerns about perceived bias in promotional testing and requested demographic results for previous administrations; Chief Administrative Officer Alicia Lindsey and purchasing staff said demographic reports for prior exams (administered in 2019 and 2023) were emailed to the commission and are available. Purchasing explained sole‑source rules require vendor documentation and a demonstration that no commercially available substitute exists; the purchasing administrator said many sole‑source requests are reviewed and sometimes denied, but proprietary or copyrighted instruments can meet the threshold for sole‑source designation.

Renewal and term questions: Commissioners discussed renewal options and whether the board could limit contract extension terms; County Attorney Megan Smith advised that the commission may vote the contract up or down but does not have authority to amend contract terms that fall within mayoral contracting authority and departmental scope. Commissioner Sugarman proposed amending the renewal term on the floor but withdrew the motion after legal counsel advised it was outside the commission’s authority.

Vote: The commission suspended the rules to hear the add‑on and approved Item 22 with an 11‑0 recorded vote. Supporters said the vendor offers defensible, legally defensible testing; critics urged broader vendor outreach and more transparent procurement practices.

Outlook: Commissioners requested additional procurement transparency, demographic outcome data, and discussion about sole‑source usage going forward. The contract includes renewal options outlined in the procurement package; the commission must rely on purchasing and legal processes to vet renewals and sole‑source justifications.