Supes accept higher of two bids [Picayune Item, Miss.]
By David A. Farrell, Picayune Item, Miss. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
State law on acceptance of bids says public bodies are required to accept the lowest, and what they consider the best bid, during the bidding process. The law does not require a public body to necessarily accept the low bid. That is not the sole criteria.
And that was what the issue boiled down to on Thursday.
The two Advantage representatives maintained their carrier companies were actually stronger financially than Thigpen's, based on the "financial strength rating" services, and in the alternative, it was pointed out that one of the Advantage carriers, Star, was "nonadmitted" in
District Four supervisor and board president
The vote was 4-1. Supervisors
"We go and get competition to come in on this bid, and the board awards it to someone that is
Also after the vote, the agent handling the bid for Advantage,
However, county officials said the vote was final. The new contract took effect on
Supervisors made the decision after hearing input from county property manager
When supervisors received the bids on
A recessed meeting was called and held Thursday to make a decision on the contract because the current contract, also with Thipgen, was scheduled to expire on
Advantage is no stranger to government contracts here. It insures
After the bid was awarded, Sherman told the Item he indicated to the board that he favored Thipgen because of "familiarity" with the company, and vice versa, that it had a long-term relationship with the county, and there had been no problems.
Sherman said his statement was not a recommendation to the board, only his opinion on the matter, and that he found nothing wrong with Thigpen's bid. "Remember, the board awards the contract; I don't," he said.
Also coming up before the board for discussion was that one of the carriers that would write the coverage for Advantage, Star, was a "nonadmitted" company in
There was discussion about just exactly what that means and its importance.
Ouder, Stewart and Lee maintained that was not significant.
Ouder and Stewart said the main indicator to go by was the "financial strength rating," and they maintained that Star and Trident, the carriers they represent, were just as strong as One Beacon, who Thigpen represents.
After the meeting, Advantage agency released publicly an email it sent to each board of supervisor member, explaining to them the significance and meaning between an "admitted" and "nonadmitted" insurance company.
Ouder maintained in the email to supervisors that the most important factor is the "financial strength ratings" of the carriers.
". . .only Star Specialty, the carrier that was used to quote the Property, is a nonadmitted carrier. All of the liability is quoted through
Copyright 2013 The Picayune Item. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
___
(c)2013 the Picayune Item (Picayune, Miss.)
Visit the Picayune Item (Picayune, Miss.) at picayuneitem.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 804 |
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News