Commission amends invoice payments to award corrosion inhibitor contract to Michigan firm

A commissioner asked commissioners to consider awarding the corrosion inhibitor contract to a Michigan firm after noting a $265 difference between the lowest bidder and the next bidder. The commissioner moved to amend the payment of bills and invoices to award the contract to the second-lowest bidder, Elhorn Engineering of Mason, Michigan; the motion was seconded and discussed.

During discussion, another commissioner asked whether cost was the only factor in selecting the original low bidder. City staff (Jeff Wood) said the city's standard process is to accept the low bid when it meets requirements, but the city manager said he would be comfortable proceeding with the commissioner's motion and would, if it posed a problem, bring it back to the commission.

The commission took a roll-call vote and approved the amendment to award the corrosion inhibitor contract to Elhorn Engineering. One commissioner noted the importance of keeping business in Michigan during the crisis and described the $265 difference as modest.

Why it matters: The vote alters the recommended award to favor a local firm by a small price differential during a time when some commissioners wanted to prioritize in-state business. The change affects an operational procurement and exemplifies how commissioners weighed local economic support alongside procurement rules.

Details recorded in the meeting: Commissioners debated whether cost alone governed the original award, requested staff follow-up if necessary, and recorded the amended award by roll-call vote.