Commissioners consider group purchasing proposal
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Representatives from a national group purchasing firm made a presentation to commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer during their Jan. 25 board meeting.
Greg Smith of Scioto County and Joe Flannery of Pittsburgh, spoke on behalf of Amerinet, in hopes of establishing an open-ended, five-year participation commitment from the county.
According to Smith, Amerinet recently entered into a similar cooperation with the Adams County Board of Commissioners. Highland District Hospital has been a member since 1994, he said.
Smith said HDH CEO Jim Baer suggested that Amerinet meet with the board. Art Tokar of HDH also attended the meeting.
"We're a nationwide group purchasing organization," Flannery said. "We try to negotiate with the manufacturer for better pricing. The program is totally transparent. It doesn't cost anything to belong to Amerinet. We get to know your vendors and look at those vendor relationships, and compare (them) to our national negotiations. It's another option you would have."
Smith said in addition to potential savings on county purchases, the plan also provides access for county employees to enjoy similar discounts on certain purchases.
"A lot of our contracts are employee access," Smith said, "where employees have access to these savings and could get the same discount as the county on anything from food services to furniture to light bulbs to carpeting."
Smith said Amerinet saved HDH $160,000 last year as part of the Ohio Valley Hospital Consortium.
According to its website, "In 2009, Amerinet members saved more than $992 million by purchasing through our diverse portfolio of product and service contracts."
"So, if I understand correctly, there's no cost to the county?" Wilkin asked.
"That's correct," Smith said. "We receive fees from vendors. That's our revenue."
"That was going to be my next question," Wilkin said.
"Yes, we are going to make money when you access our vendors," Smith said.
Horst asked if a list of current vendors was available and Smith said that information would be provided to the commissioners and county employees.
"Since there's no cost, it's foolish not to take a look," Wilkin said.
Commissioners requested a sample contract and said they would ask Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins to offer an advisory opinion.
***
In other business:
• Commissioners also met with Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward on three separate issues.
Ward asked commissioners to sign a grant application for reimbursement funds related to meth lab cleanups in the county.
Ward said his office "took enforcement of eight labs that we paid for out of the law enforcement trust fund. This is reimbursement on money we've already spent. There's no match (of county funds) involved."
Commissioners indicated they were in favor of the sheriff's proposal.
Ward also updated commissioners on the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) 2013 deadline for public service radio to convert from wide band to narrow band usage.
"As of 2013, all public radio systems will go to narrow band," Ward said. "You have to change licensing, do an engineering study, the total cost is $2,665."
Ward said the expense was not budgeted and he would try to get some of it paid through a grant. He submitted one estimate and Wilkin requested a second estimate.
Ward also requested an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Horst made a motion to enter into executive session and Wilkin and Shaffer voted in favor.
***
Commissioners proclaim Catholic Schools Week
• Highland County commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer proclaimed the week of Jan. 29 - Feb. 4 as Catholic Schools Week in honor of St. Mary Catholic School's outstanding education for students and commitment to providing a safe, structured and caring environment dedicated to developing each student's God-given potential.
Mary Stanforth, school principal, accepted the proclamation at the board's Jan. 25 meeting.
St. Mary Catholic School nurtures the gifts and talents of each child through a challenging academic curriculum as well as daily opportunities to grow in mind, body and faith. The school shares a vision to be leaders in the community where service, accountability, leadership and excellence are celebrated and along with other Catholic schools, St. Mary keeps alive the principle of freedom of choice in education.
In honor of Catholic Schools Week, St. Mary Catholic School celebrates the achievements of its students and the many contributions they make to their school, parish and community.
During the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 4, Catholic Schools across the country will be celebrating their heritage. The 2012 theme is Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service. Patch of Heaven Preschool and St. Mary Catholic School will be having an open house on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. They invite all prospective parents to come and visit the school and enjoy a chicken and noodle dinner. All faiths are welcome.
St. Mary Catholic School will be taking applications for the 3- and 4-year-old preschool program and new students in grades K-4. Families are invited to tour the school and meet the teachers.
RESOLUTIONS
Commissioners passed by 3-0 votes the following resolutions:
• A resolution to rescind Resolution No. 12-27 regarding authorization of an expenditure to the Sheriff budget (N-03) for 911 Wireless for
$23,900.
• A resolution for reimbursement transfer for central services support for calendar year 2012 from the Job and Family Services budget (HOO) and Child Support Enforcement Agency budget (COO) to the County General Fund (AOO) as follows:
From: 0270-HOOO-H15.090, Account $7,944.00;
0270-HOOO-H15.090, Account $36,225.00;
0270-HOOO-H34.090, Account $12,180.00;
0280-COOO-C44.090, Account $1,978.00.
• A resolution to authorize a modification to the County Engineer budget (K-OO), as follows:
From: 0290-KOOO-K16.000, Contracts -Projects
To: 0290-KOOO-K15.075, Contracts & Services for $15,000.00;
From: 0290-KOOO-K16.000, Contracts -Projects
To: 0290-KOOO-K29.075, Contracts & Services for $25,000.00.
• A resolution to authorize an additional appropriation to the Board of Elections budget as follows: To: 0180-A003-A06.075, Contracts & Services for $10,009.30.[[In-content Ad]]
Greg Smith of Scioto County and Joe Flannery of Pittsburgh, spoke on behalf of Amerinet, in hopes of establishing an open-ended, five-year participation commitment from the county.
According to Smith, Amerinet recently entered into a similar cooperation with the Adams County Board of Commissioners. Highland District Hospital has been a member since 1994, he said.
Smith said HDH CEO Jim Baer suggested that Amerinet meet with the board. Art Tokar of HDH also attended the meeting.
"We're a nationwide group purchasing organization," Flannery said. "We try to negotiate with the manufacturer for better pricing. The program is totally transparent. It doesn't cost anything to belong to Amerinet. We get to know your vendors and look at those vendor relationships, and compare (them) to our national negotiations. It's another option you would have."
Smith said in addition to potential savings on county purchases, the plan also provides access for county employees to enjoy similar discounts on certain purchases.
"A lot of our contracts are employee access," Smith said, "where employees have access to these savings and could get the same discount as the county on anything from food services to furniture to light bulbs to carpeting."
Smith said Amerinet saved HDH $160,000 last year as part of the Ohio Valley Hospital Consortium.
According to its website, "In 2009, Amerinet members saved more than $992 million by purchasing through our diverse portfolio of product and service contracts."
"So, if I understand correctly, there's no cost to the county?" Wilkin asked.
"That's correct," Smith said. "We receive fees from vendors. That's our revenue."
"That was going to be my next question," Wilkin said.
"Yes, we are going to make money when you access our vendors," Smith said.
Horst asked if a list of current vendors was available and Smith said that information would be provided to the commissioners and county employees.
"Since there's no cost, it's foolish not to take a look," Wilkin said.
Commissioners requested a sample contract and said they would ask Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins to offer an advisory opinion.
***
In other business:
• Commissioners also met with Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward on three separate issues.
Ward asked commissioners to sign a grant application for reimbursement funds related to meth lab cleanups in the county.
Ward said his office "took enforcement of eight labs that we paid for out of the law enforcement trust fund. This is reimbursement on money we've already spent. There's no match (of county funds) involved."
Commissioners indicated they were in favor of the sheriff's proposal.
Ward also updated commissioners on the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) 2013 deadline for public service radio to convert from wide band to narrow band usage.
"As of 2013, all public radio systems will go to narrow band," Ward said. "You have to change licensing, do an engineering study, the total cost is $2,665."
Ward said the expense was not budgeted and he would try to get some of it paid through a grant. He submitted one estimate and Wilkin requested a second estimate.
Ward also requested an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Horst made a motion to enter into executive session and Wilkin and Shaffer voted in favor.
***
Commissioners proclaim Catholic Schools Week
• Highland County commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer proclaimed the week of Jan. 29 - Feb. 4 as Catholic Schools Week in honor of St. Mary Catholic School's outstanding education for students and commitment to providing a safe, structured and caring environment dedicated to developing each student's God-given potential.
Mary Stanforth, school principal, accepted the proclamation at the board's Jan. 25 meeting.
St. Mary Catholic School nurtures the gifts and talents of each child through a challenging academic curriculum as well as daily opportunities to grow in mind, body and faith. The school shares a vision to be leaders in the community where service, accountability, leadership and excellence are celebrated and along with other Catholic schools, St. Mary keeps alive the principle of freedom of choice in education.
In honor of Catholic Schools Week, St. Mary Catholic School celebrates the achievements of its students and the many contributions they make to their school, parish and community.
During the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 4, Catholic Schools across the country will be celebrating their heritage. The 2012 theme is Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service. Patch of Heaven Preschool and St. Mary Catholic School will be having an open house on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. They invite all prospective parents to come and visit the school and enjoy a chicken and noodle dinner. All faiths are welcome.
St. Mary Catholic School will be taking applications for the 3- and 4-year-old preschool program and new students in grades K-4. Families are invited to tour the school and meet the teachers.
RESOLUTIONS
Commissioners passed by 3-0 votes the following resolutions:
• A resolution to rescind Resolution No. 12-27 regarding authorization of an expenditure to the Sheriff budget (N-03) for 911 Wireless for
$23,900.
• A resolution for reimbursement transfer for central services support for calendar year 2012 from the Job and Family Services budget (HOO) and Child Support Enforcement Agency budget (COO) to the County General Fund (AOO) as follows:
From: 0270-HOOO-H15.090, Account $7,944.00;
0270-HOOO-H15.090, Account $36,225.00;
0270-HOOO-H34.090, Account $12,180.00;
0280-COOO-C44.090, Account $1,978.00.
• A resolution to authorize a modification to the County Engineer budget (K-OO), as follows:
From: 0290-KOOO-K16.000, Contracts -Projects
To: 0290-KOOO-K15.075, Contracts & Services for $15,000.00;
From: 0290-KOOO-K16.000, Contracts -Projects
To: 0290-KOOO-K29.075, Contracts & Services for $25,000.00.
• A resolution to authorize an additional appropriation to the Board of Elections budget as follows: To: 0180-A003-A06.075, Contracts & Services for $10,009.30.[[In-content Ad]]