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Trustees debate $6,850 Spooky Park payment and purchasing rules; accounts payable approved
Summary
A $6,850 payment to a local contractor for Spooky Park lighting prompted questions about bids, prior controversies and procurement procedures. Village manager said three bids were solicited and contractor supplied lights; attorney cited code allowing co-signature for purchases under $10,000 and the accounts payable roll was approved.
A $6,850 payment for decorations and lighting at the village’s Spooky Park prompted an extended exchange at the Nov. 18 Village Board meeting about procurement, past controversies involving the vendor and the village’s purchasing rules.
A trustee asked why the invoice for work by Steve Fiscow appeared on the accounts-payable listing without a contract or an earlier request to the board for approval. Manager Joe Baber said staff solicited three bids for the work, Fiscow’s price was considerably lower than others, and Fiscow supplied the lights and decorations and later removed them. Baber also said Fiscow submitted a 1099 form and maintained insurance.
Several trustees expressed concern about consistency: earlier small awards and entertainment contracts had been scrutinized and the trustee seeking consistency questioned why the Spooky Park payment was processed similarly without more board notice. Trustee Stallone and others defended the contractor, calling him a good community member who stores and maintains the equipment.
Village Attorney Mike Pasquinelli cited Chapter 50-4 of the village purchasing ordinance, telling the board that co-signatures by the village manager and village president are authorized for items under $10,000. Mayor Knight Stryke said she and the manager had signed the check. After debate, the clerk called the roll and the accounts-payable motion carrying the payment was approved (motion carries).
