Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Local man asks for chance to bid

Members of the Prescott City Council heard from a local businessman who said he should have the opportunity to bid on jobs for the city of Prescott.

David Rowe, owner of PSE, was on the councils agenda for the Dec. 18 meeting. Rowe said he has repeatedly requested the opportunity to bid on herbicide and pesticide applications for the city. He said he has been given some small jobs, but said he often sees a competitors vehicle in the area doing work for the city.

The mayor and I have talked several times, Rowe said. Weve talked ... but never communicated.

Rowe told council members that he has had no complaints regarding his work, and that he believes he can consistently work at a cheaper rate than the competitor that the city continues to hire.

I dont understand the citys practices and policies well enough to get the opportunity to bid, Rowe said. I just want to know what it will take to get a chance to bid on herbicide treatments.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said the city has been doing business with J.C. Brown of Cabot for about 27 years. Taylor said he hadnt wanted to stop using Browns services all at once.

In time, well try to give you all of it, Taylor said.

Why cant I have the opportunity to bid on it now? Rowe asked.

At that point, several council members made comments.

Personally, Id rather keep the business in town, said councilman Larry Baker.

Taylor cited the long association with Brown, then said, I dont want to just cut him off.

But Rowe pointed out that he is local, has no travel time to increase the cost of his services, and that he has consistently provided quality services at a better price. He said that he would accept the citys decision to use a competitor any time Rowes company couldnt provide the service or had a higher price.

But it bothers me to see my competitors truck in town, he said.

Taylor said its impossible to know how much work will be necessary until spring, making it difficult to determine how much work is needed.

Councilman Howard Austin said the city should have procedure in place calling for a bid for every job - including the application of herbicides and pesticides.

Every job should be bid, Austin said.

Councilman James Cornelius said asking for bids would make it clear which company could offer the best price for the city. He said if Rowe is cheapest, it would offer a way to ease out of the association with Browns company.

Taylor made no verbal commitment to call for bids for the application of herbicides and pesticides, other than his statment that the city would eventually try to give all their business to Rowe.

In other business, the council heard from Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Godwin who said that councilman Austin is among the 12-member 2007 Leadership Nevada County class. The group will officially kick off the year-long training on Jan. 12 with an overnight retreat.