Pepper blasts Banks news

David Pepper, the Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich, doesn't like the way a recommended developer was suggested today to the Banks Working Group -- and blames Heimlich for it.

Here is a release from Pepper's campaign:

"COUNTY’S SECOND NO-BID FIRE SALE
IN TWO DAYS

BANKS and DRAKE DEALS BOTH NON-COMPETITIVE GIVEAWAYS
Flawed Process Could Cost the Taxpayer Millions

For the second time in two days, the County Commission—led by Phil Heimlich—has recommended giving away critical county assets without any kind of open, transparent, or truly competitive process. Yesterday, it was Drake (sold to the Health Alliance without a competitive process, and for well under its estimated value). Today, it is the exclusive right to develop the $600 million Banks project.

“Under both deals, the non-competitive processes being used by the County shortchanges taxpayers by millions of dollars while not guaranteeing the highest quality results,” said County Commission candidate David Pepper.

In recommending a Banks developer, the County has only conducted an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) as opposed to a full RFP (Request for Proposals). In an RFP, bidders have to compete on and commit to many terms, including what dollars they plan to bring to the table and how much public money they plan to ask for. An RFQ is nothing more than a glorified resume, with little information or real commitment by the bidders.

“The County’s process has been hopelessly flawed,” Pepper said. “The exclusive right to develop the Banks is a huge money-making opportunity. But the County’s process never forced the bidders to put real money on the table—so far they’ve only asked for their resumes and some fancy photos.”

Pepper urged the Banks Working Group, which received the County’s recommendation today, to conduct a full-blown RFP process to assure the best developer possible, as well as the best deal for the taxpayers.

“I can only hope the Working Group will rescue the taxpayers from the incompetence and high cost of the County’s no-bid approach,” Pepper said.

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