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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2011 > January > 27 > Entry
Mississippi company wins county contract over Fairfield company
The transportation contract for Butler County Job and Family Services will go to Mississippi-based Lefleur Transportation.
JFS uses transportation for non-emergency medical trips and averages 9,800 a month. The new three-year contract (which as two one-year extensions) was awarded to the out-of-state company over Fairfield-based Universal Transportation Systems. Lefleur underbid UTS by approximately $1.4 million.
UTS had been the transportation service provider since 2004.
The contract is for $8 million (which would be $12.8 million if the two one-year options are exercised). UTS would have been slightly more than $8.5 over three years, and more than $14.2 million over five years. (NOTE: this is based on an average of 9,800 trips a month.)
Commissioner Cindy Carpenter stressed she was uncomfortable with out-of-state providers and wanted an assurance of the new provider would utilize the county’s workforce. JFS Assistant Director Jerome Kearns said the company will recruit local staff and will set up a base of operations in the area.
It will start its service on March 16.
“They’ve outlined an aggressive time line to ensure they would be up and running,” said Kearns, adding they’ve been successful with this same time line in other states.
The commission had a third option to discard both bids, exercise the fifth year of UTS’s current contract and rebid. But the board went with Lefleur.
Furmon questioned if the escape clauses are in the contract “to cover us.” Kearns confirmed that and said they’re based on performance and finances.
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County, County Commission, County budget
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By Fred
January 27, 2011 8:44 PM | Link to this
Typical Don Dixon, no support of Butler County business. Why not hire someone from China.
By letusSee
January 28, 2011 6:46 AM | Link to this
Uh oh! I wonder what will happen next, now that Kearns is messing with the income of a major local Republican suppporter.
By digItOut
January 28, 2011 6:49 AM | Link to this
Keep digging. I’d bet there is a local connection to Mississippi-based Lefleur Transportation… perhaps even a local political connection.
By boyoboy
January 28, 2011 7:06 PM | Link to this
Dixon and Carpenter have made the point that the county hasn’t been getting the most for its money on contracts. Now it’s about not awarding to local companies. Can’t have it both ways.
By Jason
January 30, 2011 9:12 AM | Link to this
Just goes to show how much UTS has been getting away with since this is the first time the county has went with the lowest bid. I bet Mr. Buerer at UTS is up in arms over this. Bet he can’t believe he didn’t automatically get the contract for giving to the GOP in Butler County.
By null
January 30, 2011 11:47 AM | Link to this
There is such a lack of communication between the Countys own offices that are located within, that the last thing needed is to add an agency several states away. But then again a good way to redirect attention if a problem developes. Get the attention out of Butler county
By B Short
January 31, 2011 9:26 AM | Link to this
Fred, Don Dixon isn’t mentioned in the Article. You obviously have an axe to grind, which makes your opinions lack any credibility. Besides, when something is competitively bid, the Commisioners don’t have any choice. They are required by law to award the contract to the lowest bidder, with very few exceptions. The “exceptions” usually end up in costly litigation for the defendent. That’s why Jason’s post is laughable. The bid openings are open to the public and the results are available to ANYONE who makes a public records request to the County. This is a good business decision for the County. Don’t try to politicize it with your incomprehensible rants.
By Larry
January 31, 2011 11:07 AM | Link to this
B Short, with your short sightedness I’d bet you see nothing wrong with the closed meetings and plans to fire all the staff. It is amazing that some never can see just how Dixon says one thing while doing another.