I have requested from the city what the specific changes will be in the ‘competitive’ bid process, and of course this is a first reading (which means they won’t vote on it Monday night). But I found it very interesting that they would throw this in the lap of the new council and mayor so soon, it almost seems to me they want to sucker them into a ‘Yes’ vote before anyone questions the changes. There has been rumors about how bids were done during the Munson administration, mostly unfounded, even though it seemed the same contractors were putting in the bids all of the time. Two things that happened raised my eyebrows though. The middle of the night decision to have a 100% increase in funding to Phillips to the Falls and how the Pavilion’s window contract came in almost $300,000 less then first estimated. Things that make you go hmmmm. I hope the new council and mayor ask a lot of questions Monday night.
| 26. | 1st Reading:Â AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, AMENDING THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY BY AMENDING THE CITY’S COMPETITIVE BID ORDINANCES AS FOUND IN CHAPTER 34 1/2, “PURCHASING.” |
Per city finance, bidding is now ‘usual’ bid process. With Home Rule government, this means the mayor (solely) has final authority on who gets a contract. Of course, Munson picked his overpriced buddys and pocketed substantial side consideration.
The state has a similar ‘usual’ bid process but they are a democracy and the governor does not decide who gets contracts. ‘Usual’ bidding is a topic in the gubernatorial election.
‘Competitive’ bidding is how it’s done everywhere but South Dakota. It’s about time we joined the union.
The city mafia lieutenant (Tornow) will obstruct and prevent this from passing. He’ll soon take Heuther aside and give him the ‘made man’ oath. I’m sure Heuther will fall into line and Sioux Falls government will remain corrupt. The only way to cure this evil is a citizens court class asking state court to constitutionally revoke Home Rule Charter.