Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/185868
Sarasota News Leader October 4, 2013 Page 39 to a posting on the county's solicitation web- to four firms, followed by requests for their representatives to come in for interviews. site, eProcure. Referencing county policy, McMahon added "We will be within the budget we provided for that she was not allowed to make any further the [County] Commission," he added. comment on the process. During a September 2012 County Commission Fire Chief Mike Tobias reported to the County meeting, Robert Stuckey, the county's general Commission and members of the Longboat manager of public safety communications, Town Commission during a joint meeting on estimated the cost of a consultant's serSept. 17 that staff planned a Sept. 26 session vices between $250,000 and $300,000. Tobias to review the nine responses to the RFP that pointed out to the County and Longboat comthe Procurement Department had received. missions that Manatee County will be paying Tobias said then that it was possible the 50 percent of that expense. Sept. 26 meeting could conclude with a rec- The County Commission agreed to the hirommendation on the awarding of the bid, ing of the consultant in a 3-2 vote on Sept. "depending on how the qualifications stacked 12, 2012. Commissioners Joe Barbetta and up." However, he indicated it would be more Christine Robinson were in the minority, critlikely to conclude with the shortlisting of two icizing Sarasota County staff for not checking Jim Brown, the mayor of Longboat Key, and County Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Mason listen to discussion during a joint meeting of their boards on Sept. 17. Photo by Norman Schimmel