Bradley seeks edge for local bidders

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Before they can give a preference to local contractors on county construction projects, members of a Bradley County committee agreed Monday that they need action from the Tennessee General Assembly.

The County Commission's Buildings and Lands Committee has been studying examples from Florida and California on how local governments can provide incentives for local contractors without scaring away out-of-town bidders.

"We want local money coming back to the local economy," said committee Chairman Jim Smith.

A rough outline is pointing toward allowing local contractors whose bid is slightly high a chance to match an out-of-town contractor's lower bid.

Monday evening the committee took up several complicated issues. One was defining which contractors would be considered local -- whether by mileage or by proximity to the central county.

Whitfield County, Ga., is contiguous to Bradley County. If it is included, committee members wondered if some kind of reciprocal agreement could be reached.

Commission legislative assistant Amy Moore crafted a preliminary document based on Leesburg, Fla.

"The thing about Florida is they have state statutes to hang their preferences on," Commissioner Ben Atchley said.

Tennessee neither expressly allows nor specifically forbids local preferences, committee members said.

The members agreed with Commission Chairman Louie Alford to keep working on the issue and to involve local state legislators as well as the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service.

Mr. Alford said that at some point he wants to involve some local businesses in the talks, as well.

The committee wants to have a proposal ready when the General Assembly convenes in January.