TEAM guts proposed accountability contract

TEAM guts proposed accountability contract

by Deborah Nelson
August 21, 2008

A proposed contract between TEAM Santa Rosa and County government has been stripped of several major accountability measures before going to Commissioners for final approval.

TEAM Santa Rosa made the changes, after Commissioners forwarded the original version to TEAM boardmembers for input.

Commissioners had agreed to draw up a contract after numerous complaints by local citizens that no accountability standards were in place to oversee TEAM spending, performance and public records law compliance.

After reviewing the original contract, TEAM leadership removed a clause that said the county could terminate the contract if TEAM doesn’t comply with public records law.

The contract specifies that TEAM is subject to public records law and must provide records upon request.

TEAM also changed a requirement they provide the County with a list of subcontracts valued over $15,000. That list must now only include contracts over $30,000.

In a similar vein, TEAM leadership changed a requirement that taxpayer-funded contracts over $15,000 must be advertised and bid out competitively.

The agency instead proposes that tax-funded contracts over $30,000 may either be bid out, or TEAM can invite three hand picked candidates to bid on them. TEAM changes would no longer require the agency to announce contracts in a newspaper.

The contract does not specify any method by which the County would determine if contracts are tax-funded or “privately-funded.” TEAM receives a majority of its funding from public sources.

The original contract, prepared by County Attorney Tom Dannheisser, stated an intent to establish “performance measures and standards” for TEAM. TEAM leadership have since deleted that reference, and replaced it with an intent to establish undefined ‘goals.’

TEAM also changed an original requirement they submit a yearly “performance measure” report to an “Annual Report” requirement. The new annual report reference does not specify any required performance evaluation methodology.

TEAM leadership removed a requirement for updates on Industrial Park companies, including those that receive property tax breaks. The agency instead would provide updates on companies receiving a “discount.” The term “discount” is not defined in the contract.

The contract makes no reference to oversight of other industrial park projects TEAM has been involved with, like a proposed 269-acre Whiting Field Aviation Park or East Milton’s proposed “Pullum Park,” purchase by taxpayers.

In addition, agency leaders removed a requirement for annual reports about local industry expansion or reduction plans.

TEAM also proposed a change in how the company is paid: the original contract would have doled out pre-budgeted tax dollars in 12 installments. TEAM proposes, instead, to be paid upon demand, via invoice.

The contract notes County taxpayers would continue to maintain TEAM’s free, 3,000 square foot office building. It makes no mention of whether TEAM must inventory or control taxpayer funded office equipment like computers.

TEAM leadership also changed the contract expiration date from 2010 to 2011.

Officials often describe TEAM as the county’s ‘economic development’ arm. TEAM is tasked with attracting industry and jobs to the area.

As such, the agency’s recommendations back major public policy and spending – including land buying, taxpayer subsidies to private companies, infrastructure planning and the spending of millions in state and federal grant dollars.

Commissioners are expected to vote final approval on the contract in coming weeks.