Procurement Ethics Discussions in Jacksonville
Jacksonville's ethics commission continues to explore interesting and
valuable ideas, according to <a href="http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=528791" target="”_blank”">an
article</a> this week in the Jacksonville <i>Financial News & Daily Record</i>.
At the first meeting of the commission's new procurement subcommittee,
loopholes in the bidding process were discussed.<br>
<br>
Procurement is one of the most important aspects of local government
ethics, because it is the area where the greatest temptations exist
(everything from kickbacks to work on officials' homes to large
campaign contributions) and where there can be the greatest savings for
residents by ensuring truly competitive bidding, with no favoritism.<br>
<br>
The subcommittee also discussed a Solicitation Silence Policy, akin to
Miami-Dade's <a href="http://www.cityethics.org/node/592" target="”_blank”">Cone of
Silence</a>, whereby once a job has gone out to bid, "all communication
must be in writing and it will be reviewed and addressed in writing."
The goal is to have all communication about contracts public, equal, and above board.<br>
<br>
Getting involved in procurement won't make too many friends for an
ethics commission, but it is an important part of its work, especially
if no one else is responsibly handling and enforcing procurement rules,
filling the
loopholes, making sure that there is no favoritism (e.g., via
specifications that favor one bidder over others), and making sure that
officials are not tempted, or able, to intervene in the process.<br>
<br>
Finally, the subcommittee discussed the possibility of an ethics award
given each year by the EC to a citizen who "has labored to advance the
culture of ethics in Jacksonville." It's important to use all positive
means of improving a local government's ethics environment, because the
negatives are usually what people focus on.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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