Commission waives policy to expedite Endeavor Project

By: Shelia Mader

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to waive its standard purchasing policy in an effort to fast-track the completion of landscaping and irrigation work at the Endeavor Convention Center ahead of a major upcoming event.

Interim County Administrator Rett Daniels brought the request to the board, explaining the urgency of the situation. “This is a request for board approval to waive the purchasing policy and to expedite the completion of the landscape and irrigation system,” Daniels said. “Three quotes will be obtained. Upon board approval, the lowest quote will be utilized.”

Daniels noted that while county policy requires a formal bidding process for projects exceeding $15,000, typically requiring a 30-day bid window, the tight timeline made that impractical. “In order to get this project completed for an event we have on July 19, we're asking the board to waive that requirement,” he said.

Commissioner Paul Donofro emphasized the necessity of the move. “And this has become critical because I think, as everyone remembers, we took all of that site development work out of CGM, the general contractor's contract, in an effort to save some cost on that work. But it's taken a little bit longer and since we're kind of in a time bind to get that landscaping done so the facility can be used for the upcoming events,” Donofro explained.

Commissioner Dr. Willie Spires sought clarification regarding local vendor preference. “The waiver doesn’t include the 3%, I believe it is, for local preference?” he asked. Daniels confirmed that the local preference policy would still apply. “We would still follow that. That's for any type of purchase, not just bid out items,” he replied.

Chairman Jamey Westbrook voiced his approval, saying, “Okay, that’s very good.”

The board passed the motion 4-1, with Commissioner Donnie Branch making the motion and Commissioner Edward Crutchfield seconding it. Donofro recused himself from the vote, citing potential, but unlikely, conflict. “Out of an abundance of caution, I recused myself, even though I don’t really think it’s a true conflict of any interest, since this is not part of the CGM contract,” he said. “I still will recuse myself of voting since we are involved in the other portion of that project.”

With the motion approved, county officials can now move quickly to secure the necessary work in time for the mid-July event at the Endeavor Convention Center.