WEBVTT
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Hi, County Controller Joe Ruttero here again for this episode of County Connections.
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It's great to be back in front of the viewers again, and I am excited today to uh have my guest uh for this next uh half hour to talk about county government, and that is my guest today is George Rodriguez.
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He is the director of contracts and procurement for the county of Berks.
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Hi, George, and welcome.
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Thank you, Joe.
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It's great to be here.
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Yes, good to have you.
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There's uh there's a lot uh I hope that the viewers will learn today and and the important role that you have in uh at the county and making sure that uh purchasing and those contracts uh are uh properly done to protect the taxpayer.
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Um so uh George typically, and I know um I kind of uh uh like to get a little bit of history of of the office, and and I know that prior to this um we chatted a little bit and and uh it it wasn't quite as easy to figure out what the history, but I think it's safe to assume uh that um it probably existed from the very beginning of the county uh when you have purchasing involved, and and I think it's probably grown to uh what it is today, maybe more defined in the last hundred years, right?
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Yeah, definitely.
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I mean, back when the county first started in the 1700s, they had to buy something, so I'm sure they had somebody that took care of that for them.
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Yeah, I would think, and it might very well have been um uh just a few people, right?
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Um but the uh importance of of uh the purchasing department, if you will, or procurement in the county is really vital to uh protecting the taxpayer, uh ensuring county government can be as efficient as it possibly can.
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Oh, definitely.
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Uh and you know, and it's and and it probably sounds a lot easier than it really is, because I know that uh depending on what you're working on in in your department, uh it it can be very involved.
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So I'm looking forward to getting into a little bit of that as we get a little further along.
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Um but in the interim, for the viewers' sake, why don't we um you know how long have you been the director?
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I'm fairly new to the director role.
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I just became the director back in June of 2025.
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Okay.
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So uh and and how long have you been in in the purchasing or the procurement office?
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I've been with the uh county procurement office since December of 2017, so a little over eight years now.
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Okay, great, great.
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And um the who who did you proceed in terms of the directorship?
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Uh prior to me, the director uh was Kelly Lawbuck.
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Uh Kelly left uh last summer to take another position at another county.
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Okay.
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Um so you've got uh years of experience in the office, you're now um in charge of the office.
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Yes.
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Um and how big, why don't we share with the viewers, how big is is your office?
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We are not we're probably one of the smaller uh county departments.
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I like to say that we are small, but we're mighty.
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Uh so uh right now we have a staff of seven, uh fully staffed.
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Uh hopefully we will be soon this year.
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Uh we'll be a group of ten.
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Okay.
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That is that is pretty small, right?
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Yeah.
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But uh big impact though, right?
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On on uh on the budget, I'm sure, right?
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Oh yeah, definitely.
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Uh we we touch every county department.
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Uh we are a support role for the county, so we try to help out as much as we can and make sure that everyone is able to have the uh goods and services they need to perform their functions.
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So you have 10 team members, and how does that break down in your department?
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Do you have a uh deputy?
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Uh do you have why don't you walk through the positions you have and and and feel free to mention those who are in those positions if you wish?
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Sure.
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Uh my right now I'm the director.
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Uh the hope is that we will have a deputy director uh sometime before the end of this year.
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Um in addition, we have a procurement manager.
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Uh his name is Man Zorzaki.
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Uh he has some previous federal uh purchasing experience overseas.
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Um we have a contract manager, Stephanie Kofki, who's been in the role for about a year now, has been doing a great job.
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Uh we have uh a senior buyer, Jennifer Rhodes, who's been with the county.
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She's our longest tenured employee in our department.
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She's uh gonna be 14 years this Sunday.
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So we're happy about that.
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Uh another buyer we have is Amber Axon Good, who came to us uh a little over a year ago as well.
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Uh we have a senior contract coordinator, Devin Glover, uh, who has some previous uh state experience with the state uh Veterans Affairs Office.
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Uh and we have a new senior contract coordinator starting uh later this month, early February, Melanie Olson, uh, who will be specializing on contracts for our Children and Youth Services Agency.
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Okay, and then uh is there anyone else in your department?
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Do you have um counsel in there as well?
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Or we have we work closely with the solicitor's office.
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There is a solicitor, uh Derek Smith, uh, who is right next door to my office, so it's always great to have uh a lawyer that can give you free legal advice next door to you.
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Uh so it's but it is great to have that.
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That's uh that's good.
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Um I thought so, you know, that because it's not just uh I guess there's a lot more and you can uh explain shortly on what goes into that process, and and I guess some of it might be real simple and others a little bit more complex depending on what what the county is purchasing.
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Right.
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Exactly.
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Um so uh tell us um uh kind of what is what is the mission?
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Do you have a mission statement for the purchasing department?
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We uh we do to summarize it, it's really to make sure that uh we are procuring uh goods and services uh for all county departments at the uh fairest and best price.
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Um we uh like I mentioned earlier, we do touch every department, so we need to ensure that we are following it depending on the complexity of the purchase.
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We want we have code requirements that we need to follow, and we need to make sure that we are uh following all code and making sure that we are getting the best price because it all comes down to taxpayer dollars.
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So there there is some the the state defines certain aspects, correct, and certain limits, right?
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Yeah.
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So um maybe share with the viewers so um uh uh somebody needs to make a smaller purchase.
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What at what point do they need to have a more formal interaction with your department?
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Where what are some of those dollar thresholds?
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Yeah, so uh any any purchase that is made has to come through us.
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We are the central uh procurement agency for the county.
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Anything that would be in excess of$13,200 would have to uh get multiple quotes.
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Okay.
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Uh and then the next threshold will be$24,500.
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Anything in excess of that would require public bidding.
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Okay.
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That is, unless it is exempt from um those uh procurements, which is mandated through the state's county procurement code.
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Yes, so townships ha have a similar, I'm not sure it's the exact same, maybe it is the exact same, but I remember that there were limits as well where you could get three, you know, telephone quotes maybe if it was under some dollar amount and then over it it needed to be uh put out for public bid.
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And those thresholds are are set by the uh Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, and they are uh increased each year depending on CPI.
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It's capped at 3 percent.
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Okay.
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So it will adjust as each year.
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It'll it'll adjust.
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Um and um uh uh uh with those thresholds um uh uh you said there's some exemptions.
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So any exemptions that you can um that come to mind in terms of where you wouldn't need to uh get something, if you will?
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Uh so professional services, um so uh architectural uh services, engineering services, uh those services are exempt, software is exempt, um uh maintenance, just general maintenance and repairs, those are exempt.
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Those are probably the bigger uh exemptions that we face on a regular basis.
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So would they be handled through a um uh an RFP type procedure?
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They could.
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We do have some RFPs that uh for professional services, uh and we do that uh really just to make sure that we are getting the the best uh partner to work with the county to provide those services for us.
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So it's your it's so it's the county's way of interviewing um folks to provide a service to the county.
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Yes.
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Um and and I know that there's a couple uh you know um acronyms, so request for professional services, right?
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Is that the RPF?
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Is that the technical uh RFP is RP?
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RFP.
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Yep, request for proposals.
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Okay.
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So we're we're asking them for proposals.
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The two main ones are RFPs uh and ITBs, which are invitations to bid.
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Um invitations to bid is where uh we basically, for the most part, that you think of like a construction project.
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If we're working on a bridge, uh we're replacing the superstructure on a bridge.
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We have an engineer that already provided us technical specifications of exactly what needs to be done.
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Okay.
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So we are asking for contractors to give us the price for exactly that work.
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Uh so they base their their bid on that, and then we take the lowest responsive, responsible bid.
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So let's let's bite into that a little bit.
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Um and so uh as you started to identify you you have a project, you had an engineer that has given you the specs of what needs to be done.
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Walk the viewer through like the next step.
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I know you just gave a quick how it goes, but explain what what actually is the next step.
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Like um uh is it published in a in uh on the website?
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Is it published in the newspaper?
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Yeah and and walk us through that.
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Once once we have uh once we have the engineers for for this example, we have the engineer specifications, we will work with our internal stakeholders to make sure that we have a document that everyone is happy with.
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Uh then we will publish that on our county website.
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We also have to advertise it in the local publication, which is the Running Eagle.
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Uh we have to do two separate publications, a minimum of three days apart.
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So we will do those.
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Uh we will also schedule what we call a pre-bid meeting.
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Uh so for this example, we will have a meeting at the actual bridge site.
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We'll we'll schedule a date and time where contractors can come, meet with us, ask questions, look at look at the site, uh, take pictures, anything that will help them in determining getting the fairest bid that they can provide.
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Um we'll also it they're not limited to questions during that meeting.
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They are free to ask questions up to uh whatever deadline is set for that particular ITB.
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Uh and then they have to submit their bids.
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Uh right now we have the have they are provided uh they are providing sealed bids that are actually delivered to the county controller's office.
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Uh you are the the repository for the county bids.
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Uh and then uh we do a public bid opening.
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We do that over Microsoft Teams.
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Uh someone from the county controller's office does attend those bid openings uh to be present.
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And uh then we do the tabulations for the bid.
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Uh we do some checks and all the documentation to ensure that all the required documentation was provided.
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Um And who who sets the requirements, right?
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So I'm sure there's uh uh in some cases a person might need to hold a bond, uh performance bond.
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Uh is that would that be one of them?
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Or so if it's anything that is, if it's a construction project, uh uh each bidder will have to provide a bid bond uh that is 10 that in the amount of 10 percent of their bid price.
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Um there's some other documentation they need to provide, a non-collusion affidavit uh just to ensure just for them to basically testify that they have not colluded with anyone on this bid.
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Uh there's some other documentation uh uh that that are state mandated, uh a worker protection and investment firm, just uh form just to make sure that, just for them to state that they are following all proper employee uh insurance and benefit requirements that the state mandates.
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Okay, so that's to protect the county as and and I guess I guess really to protect the county to make sure that the the outfit that that um that well I guess in the sense of multiple bidders, they're they're all they're they all have to meet the same requirements.
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Yes.
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So there's your there's your fairness, right?
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Uh and of course it's a sealed bid, so um, you know, uh the the typical is it the lowest responsible bidder, or is it is there anything that when you get to the bid opening, because everyone has been given the same opportunity to bid on the project, having all the same opportunities to go out to the site, visit with the site, ask questions, um provide uh whatever those um insurances and um financial uh bonds that are needed to ensure that they can in fact complete the work.
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Um and and so um what so finish me on the So uh so I always like to say it's not just the low bid, it's the lowest responsive, responsible bid.
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So responsive basically states that they met all the requirements, all the bid requirements.
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Responsible means they can actually do the work.
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Uh so if we're repl doing replacing the superstructure on a bridge, we can't just have anyone submit a bid.
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It needs to be someone qualified to do the work.
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Uh a lot of times we will work with the subject matter expert on that project, if it's an engineer or an architect, and have them do an analysis as well.
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Um very few and far between have we ever had to say that someone is not responsible, but we do want to ensure that we go through that process just to make sure we're not bringing someone on to work on a county project that it could end up being a major problem or a safety hazard if it's gonna be a bridge.
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Right.
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Okay, good.
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Um and and that process uh has been very effective over the years.
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Um obviously some of it is dictated by law, but others is probably some uh things that your your office has added in for those extra protections, correct?
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Oh yeah.
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We want to make sure that we have the right partner for the county.
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Again, we're stewards of taxpayer funds, so we want to make sure we're spending that money wisely.
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Perfect.
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Um and um so that's on the uh invitation to bid, and and that does that tend to be the majority of what you guys work on uh are the invitations to bid versus the next question will be the RFPs that we get into that?
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Uh we we do more invitations to bid than bids than RFPs.
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Um depending on the year and the number of projects that are going on.
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It generally does seem to be maybe like three-quarters of what will we do will probably be invitations to bid, and the other quarter will be RFPs.
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Okay.
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Um and on the RFPs, similar process, but walk us through that um and uh so the viewer has the opportunity to understand the difference between the two.
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Um and that's and I'll let you explain.
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Sure.
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Sure.
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So an RFP, so in the ITB, we had a set tech set of specifications that we wanted them to bid on.
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The RFP, we're kind of giving them a basic guideline.
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Here's what we want to accomplish.
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So you give us a proposal to let us know how you're gonna get to that point.
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We give them a lot of uh structure in that.
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We don't just basically give them a sentence and say, here, figure it out.
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But uh we we basically lay it out for them this is what we want you to do.
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It's not necessarily everyone is coming back and pitching the same exact service.
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There's there's gonna be some nuances based on what they're doing.
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And this is all gonna be based on professional services.
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Um and with that process, uh it it is similar.
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Instead of doing a pre-bid meeting, we have a pre-proposal conference, allow them, we'll usually do that over Microsoft Teams, allow them to ask questions, go through the whole uh the whole RFP document.
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Uh and and once it comes in, here is where we're not subject to accepting the lowest price uh because what we're looking for is the best value for the county.
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So there will be a formal evaluation.
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We'll we'll get members to serve on an evaluation committee and they will review um the proposals that are submitted.
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The first round of of the evaluation that they go through when reviewing those proposals, they're not even looking at the price.
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They're just looking at the statements, the proposals that the firms are giving us on what they're going to do.
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Uh they score that uh price unknown.
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The second round is when we share the pricing information with them.
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Then they look at that and they base the value of what what the uh the proposer provided in their technical proposal.
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Now, what's the value based on the what they want to charge us for that?
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Um and we go through that process, the evaluation, we look at the scores, we aggregate that, and then we determine who was going to be the best fit for the county.
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And then generally, um in in some cases I know because we recently did this on the retirement board for actuarial services.
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So uh once the once the evaluations were done, the interviews were done, um everything that needed to be confirmed was confirmed, and we had finalists, uh then that was um presented to the retirement board.
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Uh and then uh wash the information uh how you got to the finalist was shared and and questions uh well actually in that case the the two finalists had an opportunity to present in front of the retirement board, and which uh then uh after they did that, then the retirement board was in a position to take action.
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Um is that how it's generally, or in some cases it's not necessarily going before a particular board like the retirement board or the board of commissioners, um that you don't have to present, or we don't get to that point where there's a presentation and a board's deciding.
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Yes.
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Uh most of the time, so so that one was really more of the anomaly uh because that that RFP was being done for the retirement board.
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So the retirement board, the it was really on the retirement board to make that final determination on who they wanted to select.
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You did all the legwork, all the investigation, got all the answers, presented it, the finalists got the opportunity to present, um, and then that board made the decision.
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So in that case, the process you were more of a rec recommending, I guess, almost, right?
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You got it down to the finalist, uh, and then the board could take action.
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So in the case where it's not doing that, how how is that final decision determined and who determines that?
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So uh depending on the RFP, we we form an evaluation committee.
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Uh so uh we we like to make sure that we have someone from the uh end user department, county department that's going to be using those services.
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Uh for example, we're doing we have one out right now for uh congregate meals for our uh area of agency.
00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:06.000
Um I'm sorry, the area aging.
00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.079
The area agency on aging.
00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:09.039
I was gonna give that one.
00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.000
Triple A.
00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.759
Uh just call them aging.
00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:16.400
But uh so we have that, and there are gonna be some members from our aging department.
00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:19.119
Our aging department has an advisory board.
00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:22.640
Uh there will be some members from that advisory board that will serve on there as well.
00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:31.519
They will review that, and once they come up with their final scores after they review the proposals and the pricing, then we will go with that final score.
00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:33.759
The highest scoring firm is who we will go with.
00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.400
Okay.
00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:41.359
So in that case, um you're you're scoring it and and then they'll go with Okay, perfect.
00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:45.279
Um and it really sounds like there's a lot of thought, there's a lot of effort.
00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:50.240
So it's not it's not uh a decision's not made quickly on any of these.
00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:58.559
This is a process, and a process probably designed to go a little bit slower just to make sure that all the I's are dotted and T's are?
00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.839
Yep, definitely.
00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.799
Yeah, good.
00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:09.279
Um in any other type of, you know, we've we've talked about the general purchasing that uh, you know, obviously that folks can do in the county.
00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:16.559
We've talked about uh bigger projects, invitations to bid, we've talked about um the professional services aspect.
00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:26.880
Anything else um that you want to mention in terms of uh different type of of requirement or purchasing, or does that pretty much cover it?
00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:39.279
Uh that pretty much covers for the for the larger items, then we we do have the everyday items, you know, people need office supplies, uh, you know, any any kind of maintenance services that our facilities department needs, repairs.
00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:46.319
Um, you know, unfortunately we have buildings that sometimes, you know, uh the sprinkler system will malfunction and we have to get that repaired.
00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:48.079
So just various things like that.
00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.680
So it runs the gamut.
00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:59.680
We touch every a every department uh uh agency, uh whether it's the jail, the nursing home, uh facilities, aging, human resources.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:04.880
Versus controller's office, everyone uh eventually comes through us.
00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.720
Good to know.
00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:24.160
Um so your the your website uh if if people want to find out more about the the contracts and procurement, um it's www.berkspa.gov, and then um under services you would find uh contracts and procurement.
00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:32.880
Um now is that is that a place to um if the let me ask you this do you have any openings in in their purchasing right now?
00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:36.079
Uh yes, currently we do have an open buyer position.
00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:42.559
Okay, and is that something that is uh that position is that still available on the county website?
00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.279
Yes.
00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:55.759
So there's where anyone interested in uh joining uh George's team uh and want wants to be considered for that, you would go to uh burkspa.gov and then career opportunities.
00:22:55.839 --> 00:23:03.839
Uh in there will be all open job opportunities in the county, but you could select um the job that George just mentioned.
00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:07.920
Um your website did have some good information on it.
00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.039
I did peek at it.
00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:12.079
Anything there specific that you'd like to point out to the viewer?
00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:18.319
Uh so one thing we have uh we have uh um it's called iSupplier.
00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:26.160
Uh so we utilize uh Oracle for our um ERP system, which is enterprise resource planning, if I'm correct.
00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:28.799
I'm not an IS person, but I believe that's what it is.
00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:31.039
Uh we just call it our ERP system.
00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:38.160
Uh so iSupplier allows uh vendors to uh it's it's an interface with that system.
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:46.720
So if we do put an RFQ, a request for quotes on our system, and if you're signed up through iSupplier, you're eligible to submit a quote.
00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:50.480
If that's something that your company will be able to provide goods or services for.
00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:59.200
And that's open to anyone, anyone that wants to go on the website and sign up for iSupplier has the ability to do business with the county of Burks.
00:23:59.440 --> 00:23:59.920
Yep.
00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:04.079
And and anything else in that that regard um that you want to mention?
00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:06.079
We're we're we are starting to run out of time.
00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.960
So sure.
00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:12.240
Um anything specific uh around iSupplier or anything else that you'd like to share with the viewers?
00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:28.160
In addition to iSupplier, just more so in general, not necessarily uh related to iSupplier, but uh I just anyone watching, if you are a local company in in in Berks and if you want to do business with the county, we highly encourage you uh to uh reach out.
00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:31.359
Sometimes it may be daunting to bid on a county project.
00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:36.640
You may think there's a lot of red tape, and honestly there is some red tape, but it may not be as bad as you think it is.
00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:48.480
Um but we want to encourage you to always, you know, try to work with the county, submit uh bids for county projects if it's something that is uh that your company can can handle, uh, can do for us.
00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:57.200
Uh we are I'm in some I'm in communications with the uh Greater Reading Chamber Alliance to try to put the word out there a little more.
00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:02.480
Uh we're looking at possibly doing some workshops this year, uh get local companies in.
00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:04.160
Um it would be great.
00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:14.480
There it's disappointing sometimes when we do a bid, we get one bid in and it's from a company outside of the county or outside of the state when we know that there are companies within Burks that can do that for us.
00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:22.880
Uh so that's why I just encourage you if you are a Burks, uh if you own a company here in Burks, reach out to the purchasing department, talk to us.
00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:27.680
Uh we want to encourage you to submit bids and uh be a vendor for the county.
00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:57.200
Wow, that's great, George, and and I think that's welcomed very much so, and I'm sure the business community will will also um hopefully respond well to that because uh I know that you've put a lot of hard work and time into it, and I know that uh um you know the county government and Burks is here to to help the residents of the county in every way it can, and and getting local businesses uh uh being able to bid and and hopefully win those bids, right?
00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:02.240
Um would be good because it's really helping to keep the money in the community.
00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.920
And I think that's yeah, that's great.
00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:07.680
It's Burks taxpayer money for the most part, so if it can stay in Burks, that'll be great.
00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.880
Yeah, that's awesome.
00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:16.160
Um and uh any other uh in our and kind of um anything else you'd like to share with the viewers at this time?
00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:19.119
Um we're down to the last few minutes here.
00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.599
Sure.
00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:23.839
And uh just if if not, then I want to thank you for joining me today.
00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:41.119
And I'm gonna uh just shift the gears right now and I want to talk to uh our viewers and just remind them that um please visit the controller's website um and see if you have any money that the county might have that's yours uh that we'd like to get back to you.
00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:45.200
So it's uh under the um controller's office website.
00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:48.240
You would go to uh unclaimed checks.
00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:51.039
Uh we have three years listed there.
00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:53.119
You can click on that, look for your name.
00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:03.359
Uh if you happen to find your name or you you see someone else's name that you know, make them aware of it, and our procedure on how to uh reclaim that money is on your screen.
00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:09.519
And uh as always, we we're trying to reunite you with uh money that the county might have that's yours.
00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:21.440
So uh and I greatly appreciate uh your time and attention today to our uh County Connections show, and I want to thank you and County Controller Joe Rutterer until the next time.
00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:15.679
Hi, County Controller Joe Ruttero here again for this episode of County Connections.
00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:30.640
It's great to be back in front of the viewers again, and I am excited today to uh have my guest uh for this next uh half hour to talk about county government, and that is my guest today is George Rodriguez.
00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:34.799
He is the director of contracts and procurement for the county of Berks.
00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:36.079
Hi, George, and welcome.
00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:36.880
Thank you, Joe.
00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:37.600
It's great to be here.
00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:38.799
Yes, good to have you.
00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:56.079
There's uh there's a lot uh I hope that the viewers will learn today and and the important role that you have in uh at the county and making sure that uh purchasing and those contracts uh are uh properly done to protect the taxpayer.
00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:30.319
Um so uh George typically, and I know um I kind of uh uh like to get a little bit of history of of the office, and and I know that prior to this um we chatted a little bit and and uh it it wasn't quite as easy to figure out what the history, but I think it's safe to assume uh that um it probably existed from the very beginning of the county uh when you have purchasing involved, and and I think it's probably grown to uh what it is today, maybe more defined in the last hundred years, right?
00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:31.359
Yeah, definitely.
00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:36.879
I mean, back when the county first started in the 1700s, they had to buy something, so I'm sure they had somebody that took care of that for them.
00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:42.400
Yeah, I would think, and it might very well have been um uh just a few people, right?
00:01:42.640 --> 00:02:00.000
Um but the uh importance of of uh the purchasing department, if you will, or procurement in the county is really vital to uh protecting the taxpayer, uh ensuring county government can be as efficient as it possibly can.
00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:00.799
Oh, definitely.
00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:15.280
Uh and you know, and it's and and it probably sounds a lot easier than it really is, because I know that uh depending on what you're working on in in your department, uh it it can be very involved.
00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:19.759
So I'm looking forward to getting into a little bit of that as we get a little further along.
00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:26.479
Um but in the interim, for the viewers' sake, why don't we um you know how long have you been the director?
00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:29.039
I'm fairly new to the director role.
00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:32.479
I just became the director back in June of 2025.
00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:33.120
Okay.
00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:40.000
So uh and and how long have you been in in the purchasing or the procurement office?
00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:44.960
I've been with the uh county procurement office since December of 2017, so a little over eight years now.
00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:46.719
Okay, great, great.
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:52.000
And um the who who did you proceed in terms of the directorship?
00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:55.680
Uh prior to me, the director uh was Kelly Lawbuck.
00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:00.479
Uh Kelly left uh last summer to take another position at another county.
00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:01.039
Okay.
00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:08.159
Um so you've got uh years of experience in the office, you're now um in charge of the office.
00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:08.560
Yes.
00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:13.520
Um and how big, why don't we share with the viewers, how big is is your office?
00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:17.840
We are not we're probably one of the smaller uh county departments.
00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:19.919
I like to say that we are small, but we're mighty.
00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:24.879
Uh so uh right now we have a staff of seven, uh fully staffed.
00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:27.199
Uh hopefully we will be soon this year.
00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:28.960
Uh we'll be a group of ten.
00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:30.000
Okay.
00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:32.319
That is that is pretty small, right?
00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:33.039
Yeah.
00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:35.759
But uh big impact though, right?
00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:38.400
On on uh on the budget, I'm sure, right?
00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:39.520
Oh yeah, definitely.
00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:42.240
Uh we we touch every county department.
00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:52.800
Uh we are a support role for the county, so we try to help out as much as we can and make sure that everyone is able to have the uh goods and services they need to perform their functions.
00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:58.080
So you have 10 team members, and how does that break down in your department?
00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:00.479
Do you have a uh deputy?
00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:07.280
Uh do you have why don't you walk through the positions you have and and and feel free to mention those who are in those positions if you wish?
00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:07.919
Sure.
00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:10.400
Uh my right now I'm the director.
00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:15.280
Uh the hope is that we will have a deputy director uh sometime before the end of this year.
00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:17.839
Um in addition, we have a procurement manager.
00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:19.600
Uh his name is Man Zorzaki.
00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:23.680
Uh he has some previous federal uh purchasing experience overseas.
00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:29.920
Um we have a contract manager, Stephanie Kofki, who's been in the role for about a year now, has been doing a great job.
00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:33.839
Uh we have uh a senior buyer, Jennifer Rhodes, who's been with the county.
00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:36.240
She's our longest tenured employee in our department.
00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:39.439
She's uh gonna be 14 years this Sunday.
00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.199
So we're happy about that.
00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:47.120
Uh another buyer we have is Amber Axon Good, who came to us uh a little over a year ago as well.
00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:56.240
Uh we have a senior contract coordinator, Devin Glover, uh, who has some previous uh state experience with the state uh Veterans Affairs Office.
00:04:56.399 --> 00:05:08.000
Uh and we have a new senior contract coordinator starting uh later this month, early February, Melanie Olson, uh, who will be specializing on contracts for our Children and Youth Services Agency.
00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:11.120
Okay, and then uh is there anyone else in your department?
00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:13.199
Do you have um counsel in there as well?
00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:17.279
Or we have we work closely with the solicitor's office.
00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:26.399
There is a solicitor, uh Derek Smith, uh, who is right next door to my office, so it's always great to have uh a lawyer that can give you free legal advice next door to you.
00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:28.800
Uh so it's but it is great to have that.
00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:30.879
That's uh that's good.
00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:48.480
Um I thought so, you know, that because it's not just uh I guess there's a lot more and you can uh explain shortly on what goes into that process, and and I guess some of it might be real simple and others a little bit more complex depending on what what the county is purchasing.
00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:48.639
Right.
00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:49.279
Exactly.
00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:55.199
Um so uh tell us um uh kind of what is what is the mission?
00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:58.240
Do you have a mission statement for the purchasing department?
00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:10.000
We uh we do to summarize it, it's really to make sure that uh we are procuring uh goods and services uh for all county departments at the uh fairest and best price.
00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:20.160
Um we uh like I mentioned earlier, we do touch every department, so we need to ensure that we are following it depending on the complexity of the purchase.
00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:30.560
We want we have code requirements that we need to follow, and we need to make sure that we are uh following all code and making sure that we are getting the best price because it all comes down to taxpayer dollars.
00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:37.839
So there there is some the the state defines certain aspects, correct, and certain limits, right?
00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:38.560
Yeah.
00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:45.120
So um maybe share with the viewers so um uh uh somebody needs to make a smaller purchase.
00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:52.000
What at what point do they need to have a more formal interaction with your department?
00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:54.079
Where what are some of those dollar thresholds?
00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:57.759
Yeah, so uh any any purchase that is made has to come through us.
00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:00.639
We are the central uh procurement agency for the county.
00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:06.800
Anything that would be in excess of$13,200 would have to uh get multiple quotes.
00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:07.439
Okay.
00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:11.920
Uh and then the next threshold will be$24,500.
00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:15.759
Anything in excess of that would require public bidding.
00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:16.399
Okay.
00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:24.800
That is, unless it is exempt from um those uh procurements, which is mandated through the state's county procurement code.
00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:44.639
Yes, so townships ha have a similar, I'm not sure it's the exact same, maybe it is the exact same, but I remember that there were limits as well where you could get three, you know, telephone quotes maybe if it was under some dollar amount and then over it it needed to be uh put out for public bid.
00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:53.360
And those thresholds are are set by the uh Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, and they are uh increased each year depending on CPI.
00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:54.879
It's capped at 3 percent.
00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:55.519
Okay.
00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:58.000
So it will adjust as each year.
00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:00.879
It'll it'll adjust.
00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:10.160
Um and um uh uh uh with those thresholds um uh uh you said there's some exemptions.
00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:19.759
So any exemptions that you can um that come to mind in terms of where you wouldn't need to uh get something, if you will?
00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:35.759
Uh so professional services, um so uh architectural uh services, engineering services, uh those services are exempt, software is exempt, um uh maintenance, just general maintenance and repairs, those are exempt.
00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:38.799
Those are probably the bigger uh exemptions that we face on a regular basis.
00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:44.240
So would they be handled through a um uh an RFP type procedure?
00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:45.120
They could.
00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:57.360
We do have some RFPs that uh for professional services, uh and we do that uh really just to make sure that we are getting the the best uh partner to work with the county to provide those services for us.
00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:02.879
So it's your it's so it's the county's way of interviewing um folks to provide a service to the county.
00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:03.679
Yes.
00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:12.240
Um and and I know that there's a couple uh you know um acronyms, so request for professional services, right?
00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:13.360
Is that the RPF?
00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:16.080
Is that the technical uh RFP is RP?
00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:17.279
RFP.
00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:18.720
Yep, request for proposals.
00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:19.039
Okay.
00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:21.679
So we're we're asking them for proposals.
00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:26.799
The two main ones are RFPs uh and ITBs, which are invitations to bid.
00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:34.720
Um invitations to bid is where uh we basically, for the most part, that you think of like a construction project.
00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:38.799
If we're working on a bridge, uh we're replacing the superstructure on a bridge.
00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:44.080
We have an engineer that already provided us technical specifications of exactly what needs to be done.
00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:44.480
Okay.
00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:49.200
So we are asking for contractors to give us the price for exactly that work.
00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:55.759
Uh so they base their their bid on that, and then we take the lowest responsive, responsible bid.
00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:58.960
So let's let's bite into that a little bit.
00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:08.559
Um and so uh as you started to identify you you have a project, you had an engineer that has given you the specs of what needs to be done.
00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:11.360
Walk the viewer through like the next step.
00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:17.200
I know you just gave a quick how it goes, but explain what what actually is the next step.
00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:22.000
Like um uh is it published in a in uh on the website?
00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:23.840
Is it published in the newspaper?
00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:25.600
Yeah and and walk us through that.
00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:37.759
Once once we have uh once we have the engineers for for this example, we have the engineer specifications, we will work with our internal stakeholders to make sure that we have a document that everyone is happy with.
00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:40.879
Uh then we will publish that on our county website.
00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:45.759
We also have to advertise it in the local publication, which is the Running Eagle.
00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:50.000
Uh we have to do two separate publications, a minimum of three days apart.
00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.840
So we will do those.
00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:55.840
Uh we will also schedule what we call a pre-bid meeting.
00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:59.679
Uh so for this example, we will have a meeting at the actual bridge site.
00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:13.120
We'll we'll schedule a date and time where contractors can come, meet with us, ask questions, look at look at the site, uh, take pictures, anything that will help them in determining getting the fairest bid that they can provide.
00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:17.679
Um we'll also it they're not limited to questions during that meeting.
00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:24.320
They are free to ask questions up to uh whatever deadline is set for that particular ITB.
00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:27.039
Uh and then they have to submit their bids.
00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:34.000
Uh right now we have the have they are provided uh they are providing sealed bids that are actually delivered to the county controller's office.
00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.519
Uh you are the the repository for the county bids.
00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:40.480
Uh and then uh we do a public bid opening.
00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:42.480
We do that over Microsoft Teams.
00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:47.600
Uh someone from the county controller's office does attend those bid openings uh to be present.
00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:51.840
And uh then we do the tabulations for the bid.
00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:57.679
Uh we do some checks and all the documentation to ensure that all the required documentation was provided.
00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:00.960
Um And who who sets the requirements, right?
00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:09.440
So I'm sure there's uh uh in some cases a person might need to hold a bond, uh performance bond.
00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:11.200
Uh is that would that be one of them?
00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:22.559
Or so if it's anything that is, if it's a construction project, uh uh each bidder will have to provide a bid bond uh that is 10 that in the amount of 10 percent of their bid price.
00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:34.000
Um there's some other documentation they need to provide, a non-collusion affidavit uh just to ensure just for them to basically testify that they have not colluded with anyone on this bid.
00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:49.600
Uh there's some other documentation uh uh that that are state mandated, uh a worker protection and investment firm, just uh form just to make sure that, just for them to state that they are following all proper employee uh insurance and benefit requirements that the state mandates.
00:12:50.080 --> 00:13:04.960
Okay, so that's to protect the county as and and I guess I guess really to protect the county to make sure that the the outfit that that um that well I guess in the sense of multiple bidders, they're they're all they're they all have to meet the same requirements.
00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:05.440
Yes.
00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:08.240
So there's your there's your fairness, right?
00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:45.440
Uh and of course it's a sealed bid, so um, you know, uh the the typical is it the lowest responsible bidder, or is it is there anything that when you get to the bid opening, because everyone has been given the same opportunity to bid on the project, having all the same opportunities to go out to the site, visit with the site, ask questions, um provide uh whatever those um insurances and um financial uh bonds that are needed to ensure that they can in fact complete the work.
00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:58.720
Um and and so um what so finish me on the So uh so I always like to say it's not just the low bid, it's the lowest responsive, responsible bid.
00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:04.399
So responsive basically states that they met all the requirements, all the bid requirements.
00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:07.440
Responsible means they can actually do the work.
00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:13.519
Uh so if we're repl doing replacing the superstructure on a bridge, we can't just have anyone submit a bid.
00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:15.759
It needs to be someone qualified to do the work.
00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:24.080
Uh a lot of times we will work with the subject matter expert on that project, if it's an engineer or an architect, and have them do an analysis as well.
00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:41.039
Um very few and far between have we ever had to say that someone is not responsible, but we do want to ensure that we go through that process just to make sure we're not bringing someone on to work on a county project that it could end up being a major problem or a safety hazard if it's gonna be a bridge.
00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:41.759
Right.
00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.960
Okay, good.
00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:48.159
Um and and that process uh has been very effective over the years.
00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:58.000
Um obviously some of it is dictated by law, but others is probably some uh things that your your office has added in for those extra protections, correct?
00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:58.639
Oh yeah.
00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:01.600
We want to make sure that we have the right partner for the county.
00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:05.759
Again, we're stewards of taxpayer funds, so we want to make sure we're spending that money wisely.
00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.879
Perfect.
00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:21.679
Um and um so that's on the uh invitation to bid, and and that does that tend to be the majority of what you guys work on uh are the invitations to bid versus the next question will be the RFPs that we get into that?
00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:26.399
Uh we we do more invitations to bid than bids than RFPs.
00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:30.799
Um depending on the year and the number of projects that are going on.
00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:39.840
It generally does seem to be maybe like three-quarters of what will we do will probably be invitations to bid, and the other quarter will be RFPs.
00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.559
Okay.
00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:52.320
Um and on the RFPs, similar process, but walk us through that um and uh so the viewer has the opportunity to understand the difference between the two.
00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:54.960
Um and that's and I'll let you explain.
00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.440
Sure.
00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:55.759
Sure.
00:15:55.919 --> 00:16:03.039
So an RFP, so in the ITB, we had a set tech set of specifications that we wanted them to bid on.
00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:06.799
The RFP, we're kind of giving them a basic guideline.
00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.720
Here's what we want to accomplish.
00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:13.120
So you give us a proposal to let us know how you're gonna get to that point.
00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:16.559
We give them a lot of uh structure in that.
00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:19.440
We don't just basically give them a sentence and say, here, figure it out.
00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:22.879
But uh we we basically lay it out for them this is what we want you to do.
00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:27.519
It's not necessarily everyone is coming back and pitching the same exact service.
00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:30.879
There's there's gonna be some nuances based on what they're doing.
00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:34.240
And this is all gonna be based on professional services.
00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:38.320
Um and with that process, uh it it is similar.
00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:48.879
Instead of doing a pre-bid meeting, we have a pre-proposal conference, allow them, we'll usually do that over Microsoft Teams, allow them to ask questions, go through the whole uh the whole RFP document.
00:16:49.039 --> 00:17:00.720
Uh and and once it comes in, here is where we're not subject to accepting the lowest price uh because what we're looking for is the best value for the county.
00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:04.160
So there will be a formal evaluation.
00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:11.759
We'll we'll get members to serve on an evaluation committee and they will review um the proposals that are submitted.
00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:17.599
The first round of of the evaluation that they go through when reviewing those proposals, they're not even looking at the price.
00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:23.039
They're just looking at the statements, the proposals that the firms are giving us on what they're going to do.
00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:26.000
Uh they score that uh price unknown.
00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:28.960
The second round is when we share the pricing information with them.
00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:36.480
Then they look at that and they base the value of what what the uh the proposer provided in their technical proposal.
00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:39.519
Now, what's the value based on the what they want to charge us for that?
00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:49.279
Um and we go through that process, the evaluation, we look at the scores, we aggregate that, and then we determine who was going to be the best fit for the county.
00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:58.319
And then generally, um in in some cases I know because we recently did this on the retirement board for actuarial services.
00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:15.039
So uh once the once the evaluations were done, the interviews were done, um everything that needed to be confirmed was confirmed, and we had finalists, uh then that was um presented to the retirement board.
00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:41.519
Uh and then uh wash the information uh how you got to the finalist was shared and and questions uh well actually in that case the the two finalists had an opportunity to present in front of the retirement board, and which uh then uh after they did that, then the retirement board was in a position to take action.
00:18:41.920 --> 00:19:01.599
Um is that how it's generally, or in some cases it's not necessarily going before a particular board like the retirement board or the board of commissioners, um that you don't have to present, or we don't get to that point where there's a presentation and a board's deciding.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.160
Yes.
00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:10.240
Uh most of the time, so so that one was really more of the anomaly uh because that that RFP was being done for the retirement board.
00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:16.160
So the retirement board, the it was really on the retirement board to make that final determination on who they wanted to select.
00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:27.440
You did all the legwork, all the investigation, got all the answers, presented it, the finalists got the opportunity to present, um, and then that board made the decision.
00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:33.200
So in that case, the process you were more of a rec recommending, I guess, almost, right?
00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:37.440
You got it down to the finalist, uh, and then the board could take action.
00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:43.039
So in the case where it's not doing that, how how is that final decision determined and who determines that?
00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:47.519
So uh depending on the RFP, we we form an evaluation committee.
00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:56.319
Uh so uh we we like to make sure that we have someone from the uh end user department, county department that's going to be using those services.
00:19:56.480 --> 00:20:03.519
Uh for example, we're doing we have one out right now for uh congregate meals for our uh area of agency.
00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:06.000
Um I'm sorry, the area aging.
00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.079
The area agency on aging.
00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:09.039
I was gonna give that one.
00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.000
Triple A.
00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.759
Uh just call them aging.
00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:16.400
But uh so we have that, and there are gonna be some members from our aging department.
00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:19.119
Our aging department has an advisory board.
00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:22.640
Uh there will be some members from that advisory board that will serve on there as well.
00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:31.519
They will review that, and once they come up with their final scores after they review the proposals and the pricing, then we will go with that final score.
00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:33.759
The highest scoring firm is who we will go with.
00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.400
Okay.
00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:41.359
So in that case, um you're you're scoring it and and then they'll go with Okay, perfect.
00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:45.279
Um and it really sounds like there's a lot of thought, there's a lot of effort.
00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:50.240
So it's not it's not uh a decision's not made quickly on any of these.
00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:58.559
This is a process, and a process probably designed to go a little bit slower just to make sure that all the I's are dotted and T's are?
00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.839
Yep, definitely.
00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.799
Yeah, good.
00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:09.279
Um in any other type of, you know, we've we've talked about the general purchasing that uh, you know, obviously that folks can do in the county.
00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:16.559
We've talked about uh bigger projects, invitations to bid, we've talked about um the professional services aspect.
00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:26.880
Anything else um that you want to mention in terms of uh different type of of requirement or purchasing, or does that pretty much cover it?
00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:39.279
Uh that pretty much covers for the for the larger items, then we we do have the everyday items, you know, people need office supplies, uh, you know, any any kind of maintenance services that our facilities department needs, repairs.
00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:46.319
Um, you know, unfortunately we have buildings that sometimes, you know, uh the sprinkler system will malfunction and we have to get that repaired.
00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:48.079
So just various things like that.
00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.680
So it runs the gamut.
00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:59.680
We touch every a every department uh uh agency, uh whether it's the jail, the nursing home, uh facilities, aging, human resources.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:04.880
Versus controller's office, everyone uh eventually comes through us.
00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.720
Good to know.
00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:24.160
Um so your the your website uh if if people want to find out more about the the contracts and procurement, um it's www.berkspa.gov, and then um under services you would find uh contracts and procurement.
00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:32.880
Um now is that is that a place to um if the let me ask you this do you have any openings in in their purchasing right now?
00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:36.079
Uh yes, currently we do have an open buyer position.
00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:42.559
Okay, and is that something that is uh that position is that still available on the county website?
00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.279
Yes.
00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:55.759
So there's where anyone interested in uh joining uh George's team uh and want wants to be considered for that, you would go to uh burkspa.gov and then career opportunities.
00:22:55.839 --> 00:23:03.839
Uh in there will be all open job opportunities in the county, but you could select um the job that George just mentioned.
00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:07.920
Um your website did have some good information on it.
00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.039
I did peek at it.
00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:12.079
Anything there specific that you'd like to point out to the viewer?
00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:18.319
Uh so one thing we have uh we have uh um it's called iSupplier.
00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:26.160
Uh so we utilize uh Oracle for our um ERP system, which is enterprise resource planning, if I'm correct.
00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:28.799
I'm not an IS person, but I believe that's what it is.
00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:31.039
Uh we just call it our ERP system.
00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:38.160
Uh so iSupplier allows uh vendors to uh it's it's an interface with that system.
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:46.720
So if we do put an RFQ, a request for quotes on our system, and if you're signed up through iSupplier, you're eligible to submit a quote.
00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:50.480
If that's something that your company will be able to provide goods or services for.
00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:59.200
And that's open to anyone, anyone that wants to go on the website and sign up for iSupplier has the ability to do business with the county of Burks.
00:23:59.440 --> 00:23:59.920
Yep.
00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:04.079
And and anything else in that that regard um that you want to mention?
00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:06.079
We're we're we are starting to run out of time.
00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.960
So sure.
00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:12.240
Um anything specific uh around iSupplier or anything else that you'd like to share with the viewers?
00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:28.160
In addition to iSupplier, just more so in general, not necessarily uh related to iSupplier, but uh I just anyone watching, if you are a local company in in in Berks and if you want to do business with the county, we highly encourage you uh to uh reach out.
00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:31.359
Sometimes it may be daunting to bid on a county project.
00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:36.640
You may think there's a lot of red tape, and honestly there is some red tape, but it may not be as bad as you think it is.
00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:48.480
Um but we want to encourage you to always, you know, try to work with the county, submit uh bids for county projects if it's something that is uh that your company can can handle, uh, can do for us.
00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:57.200
Uh we are I'm in some I'm in communications with the uh Greater Reading Chamber Alliance to try to put the word out there a little more.
00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:02.480
Uh we're looking at possibly doing some workshops this year, uh get local companies in.
00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:04.160
Um it would be great.
00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:14.480
There it's disappointing sometimes when we do a bid, we get one bid in and it's from a company outside of the county or outside of the state when we know that there are companies within Burks that can do that for us.
00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:22.880
Uh so that's why I just encourage you if you are a Burks, uh if you own a company here in Burks, reach out to the purchasing department, talk to us.
00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:27.680
Uh we want to encourage you to submit bids and uh be a vendor for the county.
00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:57.200
Wow, that's great, George, and and I think that's welcomed very much so, and I'm sure the business community will will also um hopefully respond well to that because uh I know that you've put a lot of hard work and time into it, and I know that uh um you know the county government and Burks is here to to help the residents of the county in every way it can, and and getting local businesses uh uh being able to bid and and hopefully win those bids, right?
00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:02.240
Um would be good because it's really helping to keep the money in the community.
00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.920
And I think that's yeah, that's great.
00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:07.680
It's Burks taxpayer money for the most part, so if it can stay in Burks, that'll be great.
00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.880
Yeah, that's awesome.
00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:16.160
Um and uh any other uh in our and kind of um anything else you'd like to share with the viewers at this time?
00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:19.119
Um we're down to the last few minutes here.
00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.599
Sure.
00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:23.839
And uh just if if not, then I want to thank you for joining me today.
00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:41.119
And I'm gonna uh just shift the gears right now and I want to talk to uh our viewers and just remind them that um please visit the controller's website um and see if you have any money that the county might have that's yours uh that we'd like to get back to you.
00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:45.200
So it's uh under the um controller's office website.
00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:48.240
You would go to uh unclaimed checks.
00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:51.039
Uh we have three years listed there.
00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:53.119
You can click on that, look for your name.
00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:03.359
Uh if you happen to find your name or you you see someone else's name that you know, make them aware of it, and our procedure on how to uh reclaim that money is on your screen.
00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:09.519
And uh as always, we we're trying to reunite you with uh money that the county might have that's yours.
00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:21.440
So uh and I greatly appreciate uh your time and attention today to our uh County Connections show, and I want to thank you and County Controller Joe Rutterer until the next time.
