County moves toward centralized purchasing

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 9:55 PM Monday, February 1, 2010

HAMILTON — After months of agreeing on the potential cost-savings, Butler County commissioners took the first step Monday, Feb. 1, in consolidating purchasing processes among local governments.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to name Randy Quisenberry, contracts manager in the county’s office of Job and Family Services, to begin setting up the program.

“I think it’s relevant to do it today, because I think it’s going to be a big savings to the county,” said Commissioner Donald Dixon, after moving for the creation of central purchasing.

“I’m expecting big things from Randy, and cost savings in the very near future,” agreed Commission President Gregory Jolivette, adding that city mayors at a recent mayors conference were all on board with the plan.

Interim Administrator Bruce Jewett said the concept is still in its infancy.

“At this point we’re really talking about putting the outline together and fleshing it out,” Jewett said.

“I know there’s some interest on the part of all three commissioners that we not waste any time on it,” Jewett said, though a plan is likely months away.

Unclear at this point is how the process would work and which cities, townships and departments would be involved.

Centralized purchasing — lumping in purchases of things like office supplies, computers and heavy equipment to achieve economies of scale — has long been touted as a possible cost savings.

“I think it’s something we really need to focus on in 2010,” Jolivette said. “And I think we’re going to have big results.”

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This decision is in complete contradiction to the commission's own report where Mr. Duckett stated that every decision concerning any resolution must be presented before commissioners and those that are not presented are in violation of state law. This was the big problem the commission went after Derek Conklin for. Now they are giving the county's autonomy away to a consortium of other counties?

Guess they decided to ignore their own report they went after Conklin with.

J.B.
7:01 PM, 2/19/2010

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this never will make a difference. arrogant politicians will purchase what they want from who they want without considering what a central purchasing dept provides. buy from friends you know or at least those who contribute to campaigns. they hire friends and other politicos family always have. campaigns always talk about changing the previous practices of the old "bad" official. well we see how that works in the "new good" auditors office.

sickofcounty
3:34 PM, 2/6/2010

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Yes, I can see it now. More savings like the food services at the county jail. Over paying by millions of dollars, but now the cities are joining the wasteful ways of the county.

Get Real Cities
9:58 AM, 2/2/2010

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This opens up a whole new opportunity for the county commissioners to give No Bid Contracts to their friends, families and supporters.

Just more of the same
9:55 AM, 2/2/2010

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Any contract that is awarded or purchase made without an active open bid process that includes local vendors should be reported to the State Ethics Commission and the Attorney General for investigation. And, the Commissioners should be held accountable. Just because several past and current BC Administrators are already under investigation does not mean that this unethical process has stopped. Dig deep Josh!

greatly concerned
7:10 AM, 2/2/2010

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