Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/92622
Sarasota News Leader November 9, 2012 Schmidt earlier had pointed out that the skills gap was not just a local problem but a region- al and national one. Mason made the motion for the endorsement and, at Commissioner Joe Barbetta's request, included a stipulation that County Adminis- trator Randall Reid continue to work with the stakeholders on behalf of the commission. In an interview with the News Leader last week, Eavey credited Reid for much of the success in the stakeholder committee's devel- oping plans of action within the 90-day time frame Robinson had specified in August. "This is a long time coming," Commissioner Joe Barbetta said of the initiative. Commissioner Jon Thaxton also acknowl- edged the collaboration of the Greater Sara- Page 44 sota Chamber of Commerce with the commit- tee's work. He added, "I particularly want to extend thanks personally to the School Board. … [This] wouldn't have happened without your cooperation." Before the presentation began, Robinson wel- comed School Board members Shirley Brown and Jane Goodwin, who were in the audience at the meeting in the Administration Center in downtown Sarasota. Barbetta also acknowledged the support of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Mason told Eavey, Schmidt and Bowden, "I want to encourage you guys to keep forging these partnerships because this is the way to make things happen in any community." VENDORS MAY REGISTER WITH EPROCURE Staff of the Sarasota County Pro- curement Department is urging ven- dors to register with eProcure to do business with the county online. A total of 1,185 vendors currently are signed up, a county news release says. eProcure is a free website for county solicita- tions, policies, procedures and forms. Vendors who register with the site can participate in solicitation opportunities of $3,000 or higher. "Registered vendors receive courtesy noti- fications about solicitations that potentially match their vendor profile," the release says. Vendors can submit required and optional forms, such as "Local Preference," when they register, instead of completing a form each time they submit a solicitation, the release adds. Vendors may access eProcure from the coun- ty's website at ww.scgov.net by clicking ePro- cure under Online Services. Vendors who register are required to submit a "No Lobby Affidavit" and an "Immigration Status Affidavit" as part of their vendor profile before responding to a solicitation. For more information, visit www.scgov.net or contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000.