City to change contracting practices

The Sisters City Council is set to consider an ordinance this week that will change the city's public bidding practices. The ordinance will introduce "weighted value" criteria into the city's bidding processes, meaning public bids will be awarded based on several factors, not just price.

According to a draft of the ordinance, the city will be able to use "weighted criteria" on bids. "The weighted criteria will include a provision related to the contractor's use of local resources and/or the contractor's community involvement."

Changing the city's bidding processes has long been favored by Councilor Pat Thompson.

"So often you see contractors getting awarded projects who have nothing vested in the local community," said Thompson, who sees the changes as a way to create more equity between contractors for the benefit of the Sisters community. "This way we can introduce criteria into the bidding process that allows us to consider whether a contractor has made an investment in our community."

The City Council is set to approve the ordinance at its regular meeting on August 25. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Sisters City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Ave.

For information or a copy of the ordinance contact Kathy Nelson at 541-323-5205 or [email protected]