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Strafford County Commissioners open banking bids, vote to table decision for finance review
Summary
After opening five bids for county banking and cash-management services, Strafford County commissioners voted unanimously to table the selection while county finance staff complete a detailed review and produce an apples-to-apples comparison sheet.
Strafford County commissioners on May 28 opened proposals for the county’s banking and cash-management services and voted to table the selection while county finance staff conduct a detailed review.
The meeting began with the chair announcing the open-bids process for banking and cash-management services. County staff said the request for proposals was issued April 24, posted on the county website and in Foster’s, and that May 15 was the deadline for bidder questions. “We received quite a few questions. So much so there were three addendums put out,” county staff Diane said, explaining that answers were sent to all bidders to ensure an even playing field.
Bidders identified during the remote opening included representatives from Bangor Savings Bank (which participated live), Eastern Bank and ME Bank. Bangor Savings Bank representative Nikki Pens introduced herself: “My name is Nikki Pens and I’m the cash management solutions manager at Bangor Savings Bank.” Staff confirmed 17 banks were solicited and five formal responses were received.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the scope and complexity of the submissions. The chair said administration and the finance team would review the extensive materials and prepare a comparison sheet so the board could compare “apples to apples” before taking further action; staff estimated that work could take one to two weeks. Following that discussion, a commissioner moved and seconded to table consideration of the bids pending that administrative review. The chair called the voice vote and the motion passed by unanimous vote.
The vote was procedural; commissioners did not choose a winning bank at the meeting. The chair said the county would place a staff recommendation and comparison on a future public agenda once the finance department completes its analysis.
What’s next: County administration will complete the finance review and post a comparison of services and costs for the commissioners; the item was tabled pending that report.
