Commissioners discuss bidding out book binding work
The Fayette County commissioners Tuesday debated the need to advertise for book binding services for the assessment office.
Although the majority of commissioners voted to place a motion on Thursday’s agenda to approve a five-year contract extension, the motion was later rescinded.
Commissioners Vincent Zapotosky and Angela M. Zimmerlink voted to place a motion on the agenda to approve an extension for book binding services with Larry Goldberg of Hopwood for the same terms as the current contract, for which he is paid $11,840 annually, with 50 percent of the cost reimbursed by the municipalities.
The current three-year contract expires Dec. 31.
Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites voted against the motion.
“We always talk about putting stuff out for for bid. I think we should stay consistent,” Vicites said.
Vicites insisted it should be bid, even though county manager Warren Hughes said the last time it was put out for bid Goldberg was the only person who submitted a proposal.
Zimmerlink then rescinded the motion, adding that a prior time the services weren’t put out for bid.
Vicites said he would like to know if the county code — which requires contracts of more than $10,000 annually to be bid — would apply, adding that the county spends more than that amount and is then reimbursed.
Zapotosky said he believes Goldberg is the only local person who performs the service, but only county solicitor Joseph E. Ferens Jr. can answer if it must be bid.
Because the contract doesn’t expire until the end of the year, the commissioners took no action pending a discussion with Ferens.
In an unrelated matter, Vicites and Zapotosky voted to place a motion on Thursday’s agenda to increase the budget of Controller Sean P. Lally by $20,000.
Zimmerlink voted against the motion.
Lally is requesting the additional allocation for Susquehanna Group Advisors of Harrisburg.
Lally said Sam Lynch of Susquehanna has obtained additional revenue for the county of more than $250,000 and has experience in governmental accounting.
Lally said the county’s auditing firm isn’t permitted to prepare the financial report because they do the audit and Lynch helps with that.
He said Lynch also helps with giving financial advice, and makes sure the county is compliance with governmental standards.
Lally had requested $40,000 for Susquehanna in the 2011 budget, but received $20,000.
Zapotosky said he appreciates and knows Lynch’s value to the office.
The commissioners also voted to place on Thursday’s agenda motions to appoint one member each to the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority and the Health Center Authority.