This week's headlines

The City of Delta has adopted an ordinance which will give a 5 percent advantage to local bidders. The ordinance was discussed at a work session in January, then sent back to the Economic Restructuring Committee (ERC) of the Community Revitalization Partnership Program for revisions.

At the January work session, ERC chairman Gynee Thomassen suggested a bid preference of 8 percent, not to exceed $100,000. While council members understood the benefits of keeping taxpayer dollars local, they balked at both the percentage and the $100,000 cap.

So instead, the city will give local bidders a 5 percent preference, not to exceed $10,000.

A local business is defined as an individual or entity who, at the time of submitting a bid for a contract relating to a City of Delta purchase or work project:

1) Currently maintains one or more fixed business offices or taxable distribution points located within Delta County;

2) Has a pre-established mailing address, other than a mere post office box, also located in Delta County; and

3) The majority of employees performing the work are residents of Delta County.

Statistics indicate that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, as much as $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, while the same amount spent at national chains, outlets typically returns as little as $43 to the local community and the same amount spent for online purchases returns nothing to the community.Statistics indicate that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, as much as $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, while the same amount spent at national chains, outlets typically returns as little as $43 to the local community and the same amount spent for online purchases returns nothing to the community.

The ordinance allows the city to weigh other factors in the bid process, such as quality of the work and the ability to complete the project in a timely manner. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading and was to be considered for final adoption at the March 20 council meeting.

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