Quinte West is taking a closer look at it’s procurement guidelines.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, councillor David O’Neil raised concerns that the contract for Canada Day fireworks was given to a non-local company, when a local company was an option. He was concerned that the municipality was not buying local, despite efforts to do so.
While discussing the tender, it was stated that the purchasing policy requires they go with the lowest bidder, which can result in local companies being outbid.
Councillor O’Neil put forward a motion to have municipal staff prepare a pair of reports to council. The first report to cover the process that lead to the firework tender being awarded, and a second regarding potential amendments to the policy to allow local companies to be chosen even if they aren’t the lowest bid.
That motion passed after brief debate.
