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Calvert commissioners adopt local‑preference ordinance to favor resident bidders; cap prompts public comment
Summary
The board approved a local‑preference ordinance giving resident bidders up to a 5% advantage (with a per‑solicitation cap) in county procurements; a local contractor urged reconsideration of the $25,000 cap during public comment.
After a presentation from Finance Director Bruce Miller and Business Retention Specialist Kathy McAdams, the Calvert County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance implementing a local‑preference policy intended to increase participation by resident businesses in county contracts.
The ordinance would allow a 5% local bid preference for resident businesses in informal solicitations and for formal solicitations of $30,000 or more, subject to a per‑solicitation cap described in the draft. Miller and McAdams said the preference aims to bolster local economic activity and the multiplier effect of local spending. “If a resident business is involved in the bid process and their bid is not the lowest the resident bidder may be allowed a 5% local bid preference,” staff explained during the briefing.
During public comment, Kristen Bailey Doty, representing Shible Construction, thanked the board for adopting local preference but asked commissioners to reconsider the $25,000 cap, noting that the county’s cap differs from other jurisdictions and that a percentage‑based approach or tiered cap could better reflect different contract sizes. The board voted to adopt the ordinance effective Oct. 1, 2024.
