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Public commenters raise business-license concerns; Helios Alliance reports 26 RFP applications
Summary
At the March 23 Mobile County Commission meeting Dr. Sharon Ingram complained that revenue staff sought clients' personal phone numbers despite power-of-attorney paperwork; Rayford Etherton of the Helios Alliance said 26 RFPs were received and recommendations will come in May.
Two public-comment items drew the commission’s attention: a business-license complaint from a licensed preparer and an update on community RFPs from the Helios Alliance.
Dr. Sharon Ingram of HH Gavis told the commission she met with the revenue department's attorney and revenue staff after they asked for clients' personal phone numbers even though her firm holds powers of attorney. "They wanted the phone number of the client... I said, well, do you have Airbus directors' personal home number? No. They said no," Ingram said, arguing that small-business clients should not be required to provide personal contact information when a power of attorney designates a representative. She asked the county to review application forms and the handling of representative authority; county staff said the revenue commissioner's attorney is already looking into the matter and the county attorney's office will follow up with her.
Rayford Etherton, representing the Helios Alliance, briefed commissioners on a competitive request-for-proposals process. Etherton said the RFP deadline produced 26 applications—above an expected 15 to 18—touching some 50 organizations across the community, including Mobile County Public Schools and several faith-based groups. Requested awards ranged from $12,000 to $425,000; 17 applicant organizations were new to the process. Etherton said recommendations will be presented to the commission in May.
The commission acknowledged both items and directed staff to follow up on the business-license concern and to return with recommendations on the RFPs as scheduled.
