By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-824252.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz said that the Volland Electric contract should have gone to the legislature first for approval. WBFO's Joyce Kryszak has details of the findings from the comptroller's investigation.
Poloncarz said he found nothing fishy with the controversial bid award. Volland is partly owned by Erie County Executive Chris Collins. He has since asked Volland and his other companies to not seek county work. Lawmaker Dan Kozub said that's probably a good idea.
"I think that if it had went through the committee process there wouldn't have been a whole lot of hoopla about it," said Kozub.
Poloncarz said he found no sign of bid tampering or improper influence by the Collins' administration. And Poloncarz said Volland was the lowest bidder. But he said the contract was improperly submitted as a purchase order, by-passing lawmakers.
Poloncarz recommends the approval process be corrected for all contracts. He also said the bid specification process should be reviewed and revised. The comptroller said specs are asked for on work that is often not needed, sometimes inflating the bid.
In this case, he said the second lowest bidder, Armor Electric had an hourly rate $15 an hour lower than Volland. Kozub is the chair of the environment and planning committee. He said the committee meets at noon Thursday.
Kozub said one question they will be asking why the county isn't getting the biggest bang for its buck.
Kozub said they have invited the county executive or his staff to attend the meeting. A spokesman for the county executive issued a statement Wednesday saying the administration welcomes the legislature making any appropriate changes.
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