Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Banking Agreement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission renews First Federal Bank contract for three years after split vote over RFP timing
Summary
The commission approved a three‑year extension of the city's banking services agreement with First Federal Bank to allow completion of multiple integrated systems; the measure passed 3‑2 after commissioners raised concerns about prior RFP timing and staff accountability.
City staff asked the commission to renew the city's banking agreement with First Federal Bank for an additional three‑year term to complete integration projects (payment processing, lockbox services, and EMS billing). Comptroller Susan Carlos, who said she began in the position in January, told the commission that some integrations remain incomplete and that a three‑year renewal would allow staff to finish implementation and then conduct a comparative RFP.
Jim Weaver, a First Federal representative, described services the bank provides including a courier and dedicated support, and offered one‑ and three‑year options. Commissioners debated whether the city should lock in a multiple‑year extension after the previous commission had planned an RFP; Vice Mayor Darren Askew and one other commissioner expressed distrust that staff would run an RFP promptly and preferred a shorter extension. Other commissioners argued that migrating multiple integrated systems mid‑implementation would be disruptive and supported the three‑year option to allow staff to finish testing and provide documentation for any future transition.
After amendment and debate, the commission voted to extend the agreement for three years on a 3‑2 roll call. Commissioners who voted no cited a desire for a sooner competitive procurement; those voting yes emphasized continuity during software and integration work.
