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Boonsboro council debates five-year Cintas contract; requests cost breakdown and tables the item
Summary
Council members split March 10 over renewing a five-year Cintas supply contract; a roll-call in the minutes records mixed votes and an apparent inconsistency in the record, and council asked staff for a cost breakdown under the Omnia Partners agreement before taking further action.
Town Manager Rachel Souders presented a proposed five-year Cintas Workplace Cooperative Acceptance Agreement that would run through 2030 and use Omnia Partners - U.S. Communities purchasing to provide linens, trash bags and restroom supplies at reduced pricing. Staff said they had sought other providers and received one response from UniFirst; Souders recommended continuing with Cintas based on dependability and pricing.
Council Members Marilee Kerns and Terri Hollingshead argued the town could buy supplies in-house from vendors such as Amazon or Sam's Club rather than contract for five years. Council Member Kerns moved to deny the five-year renewal; Assistant Mayor Nally seconded the motion. The minutes record a roll-call with Council Member Ray Hanson, Council Member Ricky Weaver and Council Member Eric Kitchen voting "no," and Assistant Mayor Nally, Council Member Kerns and Council Member Hollingshead voting "yes." Mayor Howard Long then recorded a "no" vote. The minutes also state "Motion carried 4-3" and then say the agenda item was tabled; the roll-call arithmetic in the minutes appears inconsistent with the narrative outcome.
Council asked staff to provide a detailed cost breakdown of items available through the Omnia Partners - U.S. Communities Agreement for comparison with in-house purchasing. The item was tabled for further review.
