Councilwoman proposing legislation to change "lowest bidder" policy
-->By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: January 31, 2013
Cheaper isn't always better, so says one Utica councilwoman.
Currently the city of Utica picks the "lowest bidder" for construction work and projects. But, sixth Ward representative Samantha Colosimo- Testa is proposing legislation to pick the "best value," meaning which bidder will be more efficient.
The councilwoman says this legislation will give the city more leeway with contracts they approve.
"Sometimes we get stuck at the lowest bidder and they have to go out for different things. So it ends up costing us the same amount of money. Instead doing it one stop shop at the best value where we could do everything thing all at once vs. having to go back and get more things that the original lowest contract gave us," said Colosimo- Testa.
The full common council will vote on the legislation next Wednesday.