The contract to provide assessment services to the Town of Penhold is heading out to tender after a vote by council on June 25.
Penhold councillors decided to bypass an administration recommendation to extend the current agreement for two years and put the contract out for bids.
“When's the last time we put this out for tender?” asked Coun. Heather Klein.
Chief Administrative Officer Rick Binnendyk said there aren't many companies that offer the service.
“Up to this point we haven't had any need to,” he said of tendering the assessment services contract.
The current contract is held by Bow Valley Property Valuators.
“We should look for options,” said Coun. Chad Hoffman.
Klein said the tender should be put out to make sure the town's still getting a competitive rate.
Coun. Danielle Klooster said she wasn't opposed to putting the matter out to tender but said the factors considered when awarding the contract should cover things like how the contractor interacts with the town residents in their concerns.
“I disagree the only deciding factor should be cost,” Klooster said. She suggested applicants would need references as part of the process.
Klooster asked how much the tendering process would cost. Binnendyk said it would not be an open tender as there are only a few qualified providers, and he estimated the process would cost under $1,000.
Cooper noted the suggested July 2012 – July 2013 contract with Bow Valley Property Valuators was jumping $2,000 from the previous period's contract. July 2012 – July 2013 was estimated to cost $20,000. The suggested contract would have seen July 2013 – July 2014 go up to $21,000.
He also noted that the number of parcels in Penhold that need to be assessed is expanding.
A motion to extend the contract with Bow Valley Property Valuators for two more years was defeated with all of council opposed.
A motion to put the contract out for tender was passed with all of council voting in favour.
