by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – A lengthy discussion over the future of Mason City’s Sanitation Department led to the council agreeing to move ahead with an “informal RFP process” where city staff would seek bids from private firms to replicate what the city’s operation does.
Mayor Eric Bookmeyer (pictured) said at the meeting he would be “all for” seeking the RFP’s (bids), which would be non-binding.
Council members Janet Solberg, Scott Tornquist, Jean Marinos and Travis Hickey indicated they were in favor of seeking bids from private firms.
Councilmen John Lee and Alex Kuhn did not agree to move the idea ahead; both indicated there was no reason to move ahead.
Several council members in favor of seeking bids uttered phrases describing the current city-owned operation as “a great service at a great price” but still joined with Bookmeyer in advancing the bid seeking endeavor.
The goal would be to get the same level of service at 10% or more under the current monthly cost per citizen, which sits at $9.60.
A City Hall insider said after the meeting that “there is no such thing as an informal RFP process.”
Much more on this situation on the way.
Watch video of entire meeting:
httpv://youtu.be/APRrhCQeD18
You people just do not get it. This city cannot afford the sanitation workers, paid for with tax dollars. They need the funds for very important things…statues and ipads for the council people. You know those funds would have paid for one or two peoples wages. Maybe someone should have a conversation with Mr. Tounquist, I hear he is a problem solver (snicker snicker). And very open to the public’s ideas (gotta laugh here).
Ask turncoat why he is not at Kraft, point builders or mehanical air anymore. Some peoples egos only allow to work for themselves. Throw the beerman in that mold too.
Word is certain city people want holt services in.