Local jobs ordinance fails to pass second reading

A bid to reward local contractors and businesses who employ local businesses or use local resources failed Tuesday night to get the City Council votes necessary to become law and instead was delayed two more weeks.

City Councilwoman Pamela Ladd tried offering a compromise that would have slipped the proposed practice into the city's purchasing manual instead of making it a law.

"I think this is maybe a good medium," she said.

But the proposal led to a half-hour debate and the unraveling of the support the measure held last week when the council voted 5-4 to adopt it on first reading. Instead, council members voted 9-0 to delay the measure for two more weeks while the city attorney looks at whether the entire bidding code needs to be re-examined.

The proposed ordinance would give preference to contractors or businesses who employ workers and resources within a 75-mile radius in the case of a tie bid. City officials said city code now would allow a coin toss to settle any of those type disputes.

But opponents have said that if the council passes the ordinance, other cities could pass similar ordinances and it would mean a potential loss of jobs.

The current bidding ordinance has 13 criteria that can be accepted for bids. The ordinance change would make the local preference a 14th requirement.

Councilman Andraé McGary said he had no problems with Ms. Ladd's proposal as long as the other 13 criteria were included in the purchasing manual as well. If not, he said, he would have to vote for the proposed ordinance.

"I think it's better than a coin toss, and I will continue to say that it's better than a coin toss," he said.

Council Chairman Jack Benson told council members he had talked to business leaders about the potential job loss and he had legitimate concerns. He said the current ordinance on the books was working and the council should just "leave it alone."

"I don't want to touch it now," he said.

City officials have said they could not think of any instances where there has been a tie bid.

Councilman Russell Gilbert said the change only could help provide local jobs in those unusual circumstances and he did not think a potential job loss could be as great as what some contractors were saying.

"It's very rare," he said. "How's it going to affect them? I don't see it."

Councilman Manny Rico countered by asking why the mater should be discussed in the first place.

"If it doesn't make a difference, why make an ordinance?" Mr. Rico asked.

"Just in case," Mr. Gilbert replied.