Animal shelter procurement process adjusted again

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Clerk Debbie Leroux presented council on Monday with a request that staff be given the authority to make procurements for the new animal shelter without having to come to council for approval on every item.

Leroux noted that the current procurement policy states procurements in excess of the threshold of $10,000 to $100,000 must be approved by CAO Kristi Honey in consultation with the treasurer, Tobi Lee. When costs are in excess of $10,000-$100,000, the policy requires that approval be given by council.

Leroux said trades working on the project are being hired individually, as opposed to being tendered and/or having a general contractor take over the whole project. Changing to this procurement strategy was approved by council in September this year. Leroux said RFQ’s (Request for Quotes) have been received from a multitude of trades and, based on the type of work involved, some of them are in excess of the threshold.

She said giving the New Animal Shelter Steering Committee and staff procurement authority would move the project along more quickly because they wouldn't have to come to council for approval of every procurement. She said she only expected "a handful of items" to be included.

The steering committee comprises the CAOs of Uxbridge and Scugog, Scugog Mayor Wilma Wotten, regional councillor Bruce Garrod and Leroux.