Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/141988
Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2013 Page 35 Using figures from the Florida Sheriffs Association — a nonprofit organization that supports the needs of the state's law-enforcement community, according to its website — the price of a new Ford Explorer would be $25,465, or 2.4 percent higher than the price from Charlotte Ford if the contract were extended, he continued. For a Ford F-150 pickup truck, Gable said, the price would be 4.9 percent higher from the Sheriffs Association: $22,001. Currie Ford to determine whether either or both could offer lower prices. In researching comparable contracts in other counties, he said, the best deal staff found was the agreement Mike Davidson Ford of Jacksonville has with the Cities of North Port and Boca Raton as well as Hillsborough County. That dealership provides a 2 percent markup for vehicles, compared to the 1.25 percent markup Charlotte Ford gives Sarasota County. preference, yes," Gable told her. When Commissioner Christine Robinson asked for a reminder about which counties Sarasota County considers for local preference in vendor contracts, Gable replied that Charlotte and Manatee are the only two. Therefore, Robinson said, the Sarasota County Procurement Department treats firms from Gable added that the county does not typically those counties as if the firms are based in buy those types of vehicles from the Florida Sarasota County. Sheriffs Association. "They would have been given the local vendor Robinson said she understood Barbetta's points, but this was the first time she could recall a board discussion pitting Sarasota County businesses versus Charlotte or Manatee county companies. "We do an awful lot of business with Manatee County," she added. "I want to take a step back and wonder what Barbetta said he still was upset that staff had kind of effect this is going to have on discusnot checked with Sarasota Ford and Matthews sions in the future." From left) Ed Gable, director of general services; Glenn Zimmerman, information technology director; and Deputy County Administrator Tom Harmer listen to county budget discussions in June. Photo by Rachel Hackney