Trash Contract Extended - Without Competitive Bids
Leflore County extends emergency garbage-truck rental without competitive bids
The Board of Supervisors approved another 30 days of emergency rental for a garbage truck after the county administrator said only two trucks remain in working order.
At the Oct. 6 meeting of the Leflore County Board of Supervisors, County Administrator Cynthia Stansel told the board the rental, at roughly $7,900 a month, is "cheaper than putting our current trucks in the shop because we're paying anywhere between $25,000 to $50,000 every time we put a truck in the shop." A supervisor asked whether competitive quotes had been sought for the rental. Stansel responded that the county is now gathering specifications in order to put a replacement truck out for bid. The board then voted to approve another 30 days of the arrangement under emergency status.
This marks at least the third time the county has extended the rental under an emergency designation rather than through a standard competitive-bid process. Renewing "emergency" procurement above the state's bid threshold on a recurring basis is the kind of routine spending that invites scrutiny, even if the underlying cost comparison between renting and repairing proves reasonable.