Budget committee approves EMA radio purchase from employee-owned vendor after disclosure requirement

The Anderson County Budget Committee on April 9 approved a request from Emergency Management to purchase three Motorola radios from Burrell Enterprises, a company owned by a part-time EMA employee, after members were told the vendor'pricing would save the county several thousand dollars compared with outside quotes.

Committee members were shown three quotes: County staff reported Burrell Enterprises'pricing at $14,640.56, compared with other vendor quotes near $24,000 and $26,000. Committee discussion focused on ethics and paperwork required when a county employee or contractor sells to the county.

Commissioner Smalley moved to approve the purchase with the condition that the employee complete the required conflict-of-interest disclosure and that the arrangement be filed with the county clerk. Commissioner Beauchamp seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Commissioner White said she was concerned about how deeply discounted the price was, telling colleagues, “$9,500 cheaper than the next bid, I'd be leery of that.” Committee members and staff said the law director had advised the purchase could proceed if the county documents the transaction and files a disclosure form.

Robbie, the finance staff, noted the lower price would reduce the county's immediate procurement cost. No formal roll-call vote tally with names was recorded in the Budget Committee transcript; the motion was approved by voice vote.

Next steps include filing the conflict-of-interest disclosure with the county clerk and obtaining written confirmation from the law director for the purchasing file, per staff remarks. The request will proceed to the full county commission as part of ordinary procurement and administrative procedures.