How Did Sunshine Week Work Out For The City of Elk Grove?

By Kathy Lee
Special to Elk Grove News

Ironically, last week was dubbed “Sunshine Week.”

Sunshine Week was created by newspaper publishers in 2005, and has grown in include teachers, organizations and ordinary citizens interested in good government. Its purpose is to promote the importance of open and transparent government, the free flow of information for citizens and residents, and the goal to hold accountable local, state and federal bureaucracies.

Now for the “ironic” application: Holding accountable our city leaders for their failure to follow their own laws, policies and procedures for the benefit of a preferred vendor for maintenance of our city fleet of vehicles. This was done to the detriment of local taxpayers who must bear the cost of higher maintenance fees and the substantial legal bill incurred to defend its actions. This council set aside staff’s recommendation to accept the lowest bid so that the potential $400,000 contract would go to a preferred local vendor.

Last week, a Superior Court judge tentatively ruled that Elk Grove officials erred when they violated their own bidding policy by awarding the contract to this preferred vendor rather than the lowest bidder. In recent months I have watched as this council cut fees and awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in incentives for businesses to come here. Conservatively speaking, we have lost more than we have gained in these scenarios. We act as if we have an unending stream of cash. If we do, then my taxes are too high. Remember, we gave this local dealership a $500,000 gift for bringing their business here. We also gave them a 5% credit on the bid process. How did they reward us?

Their bid was $30,000 higher than the lowest bid. Their offer charged $6.00 more per hour in labor charges and 6% more for parts than the lowest bidder. The lowest bidder, who held the previous contract, and by all accounts from staff performed well, was jettisoned from consideration. This dealer ranked in the top 8% of Ford dealerships NATIONALLY in consumer service satisfaction. Our local dealer did not warrant even an honorable mention in the consumer satisfaction ratings.

Back on January 11, 2012, I spoke on the record of my displeasure with this council’s decision to circumvent the RFP process and award the contract to a bidder that has taken our incentive money and essentially spat on us. Evidently, the judge was displeased as well. The acts of this council are neither transparent nor open.

The owner of the winner bid, who took to the podium that night, lied to all of us. He said he was committed to the community, stating he and his wife recently purchased a house “here.” Records show they don’t live in Elk Grove - they don’t live in South Sacramento; they don’t live in Sacramento; they don’t even live in Sacramento County - they live in Auburn. Shame on him for deceiving this council and our residents. He is undeserving of our business if he isn’t committed enough to even live here.

It’s time for accountability and it’s time to get back to doing what’s right and fair. The fairness of the process ensures that just decisions will be made. With the judge’s decision comes an opportunity to fix a wrong. Let’s get back to Elk Grove being a partner where “good faith and fair dealing” is a way of business. Time to let the Sunshine back into Elk Grove.