RFP motion dies after PC debate on merits, costs

The passing of a resolution by the St. Mary Parish Council, not typically a controversial affair, resulted in a nearly hour-long debate Wednesday when a resolution concerning how the parish government scrutinizes certain contracts was brought to the floor by Councilman Gabriel Beadle.
Beadle’s resolution was a request that the parish administration acquire a “request for proposal” (RFP) on “all professional services excluding services that are omitted by state law RS 38:2318.1 for all contracts that are to expire by December of the contractual year.”
An RFP is a solicitation generally made according to a bidding system by a company, organization or agency (such as St. Mary Parish) that is enquiring about the procurement of services directed to suppliers to submit proposals.
Beadle contended that by scrutinizing every contract eligible under the resolution and according to state law, the parish could potentially identify opportunities to save taxpayers money in the long run.
“I think as a council and as a parish, we have to look at how every dollar is spent and every way we can save money,” Beadle said. “It is vitally important that we do that. I believe that this way we can get all the numbers so we can take an objective look at the services that we are looking at. I’d like to do this across the board. I think this is our responsibility as councilmen to our people and our constituents to say that we can do everything possible, that we have done everything possible, to conserve every dollar and look at every dollar we are spending. We need to get the numbers so we can compare and be able to go to our constituents and say we have done everything we possibly can to decrease spending.”
The ensuing debate centered around the need to require the parish administration to acquire RFPs on every contractor that would fall under the resolution proposed by Beadle.
Councilman James W. Bennett vocally supported the measure as did Councilman Rev. Craig Mathews.
Council Chairman Kevin Voisin was vocal in his opposition to the measure on the grounds that it was unnecessary legislation.
When asked by Councilman J Ina what, if any, burden the resolution would have on the parish administration, Chief Administrative Officer Henry “Bo” LaGrange responded that the measure had the potential to occupy substantial parish resources.
“It would take more staff time to develop the RFPs and review them,” LaGrange said. “If it’s a more technical type of service, we may not have the expertise in our office to write the technical part of the RFP. We would have to find someone with the technical knowledge to come in and assist us.”
In response to a point made during the discussion questioning whether it was financially necessary to acquire an RFP for a relatively small expense (the number suggested was a supposed contract around $10,000), Beadle responded that because the parish is struggling financially, it is appropriate to examine every possible way to save money.
“If you put a whole bunch of ten grands together, that’s a lot,” Beadle said. “As a business owner, I do a proposal on every aspect because it’s a cost-saving measure.”
After further discussion and consultation with legal counsel, a vote was taken on the resolution. Voting in favor were Beadle, Bennet, Mathews and Councilman Glen Hidalgo. Voting against the measure were Ina, Voisin, Councilman Steve F. Bierhorst, Councilman Paul P. Naquin, Councilman Sterling J. Fryou, Sr., Councilman Ken Singleton and Councilman Dale J. Rogers.
In other business, the council adopted an ordinance in regards to establishing “minimum requirements for all boards of commissioners and advisory committees created by the St. Mary Parish Council.”
Resolutions passed included authorizing the parish president to issue a certificate of substantial completion related to the Bayou Vista Subdivision and Ward Eight Drainage Improvements Project. The council also approved a resolution supporting the 2016 Louisiana shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
Another resolution authorized the parish president to enter into a contract with Cajun Mosquito Control to execute mosquito control measures in the parish.