Defining 'Local' Not So Easy

In the last five years, the county has made 43 Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) to engineering and consulting firms seeking to tackle a project in Hernando County.

Of those 43 requests, 14 projects were awarded to "local" firms, said Purchasing Director Jim Gantt. The other 29 were "non-local."

The information became relevant the last two weeks when county commissioners debated which engineering firm was going to negotiate with the county for the privilege of designing a stormwater park for Peck Sink, an environmentally sensitive piece of property between State Road 50 and Wiscon Road.

In a rare tie vote, a five-member committee charged with selecting the best qualified firm chose Tampa-based King Engineering Associates over Spring Hill-based A Civil Design Group.

In an effort to promote local business, county commissioners last week instead opted to go with A Civil Design Group. However, sensing that there could be some legal repercussions, commissioners reversed that decision Wednesday and went with King Engineering.

Commissioners also directed purchasing department staffers and the legal office to come up with a clear policy that, in case of a tie vote on RFQs, preference would go to the local firm.

But what is the definition of local?

That's the question that will have to be hashed out, Gantt said Thursday.

For example, King Engineering Associates may have offices outside the area, but they employ workers inside Hernando County.

A Civil Design Group, while based in Spring Hill, listed in its application for the Peck Sink project that three of its five sub consultants are located outside the county in Orlando, Tampa and Pasco County.

"What is local especially when you go into the definitions of awarding preferences?" Gantt asked.

Gantt said he has no problem following the board's directive in local preference, as long as any policy is clearly defined.

Assistant County Attorney Jeff Kirk agreed that defining the term "local" will be pivotal in drafting a concise policy on RFQs. Kirk said he will consult Florida Statutes and review economic development ordinances from Hernando and other counties.

County Commissioner John Druzbick stressed the new policy would only apply to tie votes and the selected local firm would have to meet all qualifying criteria. But he is a firm believer that Hernando County should get preference.

"If you have a tie for qualifying firms, (then) I'd like it to be the local Hernando County firm," Druzbick said. "I want to keep the money in Hernando County."