Riley County commissioners Monday approved a contract for advisory services for dispersing federal coronavirus relief funds.
The county will contract with Witt O’Brien’s, a Risk Management and Emergency Response Consulting Firm. Budget and Finance Officer Tami Robison says Riley County’s portion of the governor’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) spending plan is around $15 million.
The county is working on a resolution to be signed by July 15. The county selected this firm based on the magnitude of the dispersal and the firm’s ongoing work with helping Sedgwick County. Robison says neither county administration, nor any entity in the county has the manpower to take this on 24/7. The county has till the end of the year to complete this process.
This process needs a firm that is well versed in single audit requirements, because any slip up could affect the county’s future federal funding. The Flint Hills Regional Council reached out to the county clerk to see if they could help, but Robison says they would have to drop everything for this audit. However, they will not turn away local help. This will help identify areas of the county that need those funds and get them that money.
Commissioner Ron Wells says he has also been contacted by local entities who would like to help. But after reading through the contract, he understands the expertise needed for this situation.
“They’re going to take the necessary steps to assure they subcontract when possible and have a list of people they will be using to help out locally,” says Wells. “I think this is the best avenue for our approach based on the timeline.”
Commissioner John Ford, noted the contract’s price tag was surprisingly low for the services being provided. The cost of the contract is to not exceed $150,000. Ford also adds using an outside agency mitigates potential for biases in how the funds are dispersed.
Before the commission could make the approval, Attorney Joe Knopp wanted the commission to take more time in choosing a firm. He asked the commissioners what counties of similar size to Riley are doing.
“The money spent on this would not be spent for the needs and goods for the people of Riley County. Every dollar you spend for Johnson County, or wherever they’re from, is a dollar that isn’t being spent here for us,” says Knopp.
County Clerk Rich Vargo informed Knopp that they have looked at other options and the funds they will be getting will help the county. This firm comes as a recommendation from the budget and finance committee.
Commissioner Wells asked Knopp if he had read the contract in its entirety.
“The reason I asked is because we’ve had people who want to volunteer, but no one is large enough, who has the expertise, to cover all of the phases outlined in this. They can handle a portion of it, but we don’t have the time sit and look for people who want to handle portions,” says Wells.
Commissioners approved the contract unanimously.
