“My Clarkston Buy Clarkston” is a good idea ? it’s now official policy in Independence Township.
The township’s new supply policy places priority on local businesses.
‘Those folks pay taxes that allow us to buy things,? said Trustee Neil Wallace, who introduced the policy. ‘Provided we can get the same quality of product or service from somebody local at a reasonable price, we ought to be looking to them first.?
Supervisor Dave Wagner said going to local companies first has been common practice in the township ‘for quite some time.? However, he questioned adopting a policy to do it.
‘My fear is if they (department heads) go out and they purchase something that isn’t here in the township,” Wagner said. “Are the department heads expected to come back and write a report stating they’ve checked all these sources and there is no one in the township available who supplies these, therefore this is why we bought from someone else??
Wallace said the only requirement would be for the supervisor to report all new local venders and services in the township.
He was approached by local businessmen who complained they were capable of providing goods and services to the township, but venders from elsewhere got the job, he said.
‘I think if the board adopts a policy, the department heads will know they need to take a more serous look, at doing business locally,? he said.
Treasurer Curt Carson asked what ‘substantially comparable price? in the policy meant. Wallace said it may not be the lowest bidder, but a local business who is comparable in price to the lowest bidder.
Trustee Larry Rosso endorsed the concept.
‘We have to be much more aware of the local business people, especially the plight of the economy that we’re experiencing right now and knowing who sort of spreads butter on our bread around here,? Rosso said. ‘It’s the awareness factor we’re trying to develop here and we should at every level best on those that are biddable items, such as over the $10,000 figure to make sure we solicit bids from local business persons as a matter of routine, not as a matter of exception.?
Trustee David Lohmeier agreed this was just common sense.
‘The very minimum we can do is try to throw them the dollars that we’re going to spend. I think philosophically this is just a nice mantel to have in front of us all the time,? he said. ‘If possible, we want to do business locally. We understand there are reasons occasionally where we won’t be able to do that, but certainly it should be our goal.?
The board adopted the policy unanimously. However, Trustee Mark Petterson later said he believes the board did something ‘un- American and slapped the idea of free enterprise in the face.?
‘I certainly agree this township should use the local business products and services as much as possible, but not to the point where local businesses have a monopoly on township funds, even if they do pay taxes here,? he said. ‘It has been the norm for all townships to except low bids and get the best quality at low bid. The object of low bid is to keep everyone, even business in and outside of the township, very competitive.?
Petterson also pointed out local businesses bid out their products and services to other communities as well.
‘Our township is not the sole source of income for these businesses,” he said. ‘I’m sure our local businesses would be furious if other townships passed the same policy that removed them in any way from consideration for products and services.?
He also sees future potential for outside businesses to refuse to bid in the township in protest, because they know local business will automatically get it.
‘So they won’t waste their time, therefore creating a local business monopoly and some will wait for the right moment, raise prices, and stick it to us good,? Petterson said. “Additionally, this could come in conflict with our bid policy.?