BOC renews contract with Don Clerici’s firm

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners agreed Monday to extend a contract with BM&K, the company owned by Don Clerici that provides engineering and construction management services to the county, through 2011.

Commissioner Dwain Smith had asked earlier for a study on the cost of providing these services with the firm or handling it with county staff.

Smith said the county could hire two engineers, as well as support staff, for $425,000. Last year, the county paid $1.2 million to BM&K.

“Our consultant does good work,” Smith said. “But we are relying too much on him from the first shovel of dirt to the last end. Our people should know a little about what is going on…Every time something comes up, it’s just more, more, more. I think we can do better (financially).”

Commissioner Hunter Bicknell said, “If you don’t have the right kind of professional oversight, you are opening yourself up for possible over costs, beyond what you are paying the consultant for.”

Smith added, “I am going to stay on top of this. This isn’t going to be the last you are going to here from me about this…I’m not saying we don’t need a consultant. We are just carrying it too far. Some of this stuff can be done in-house…I am just trying to look out for the taxpayer’s money because it’s my money too.”

Commissioner Tom Crow said, “I have looked at some of this stuff. I have the utmost confidence that it was all done properly.”

Comments

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#1 Thieves on 02/09/11 at 12:00 PM [Reply]

What a bunch of crooks ! The Only honest one in the bunch is Smith the rest need to be voted out starting with Bicknell and Double Dipper Yates !
Hey Chas why don't you open your eyes !
This board just showed there true colors and not one of them will get my support or vote except Dwain Smith.
Recall the BOC !

#2 Wasted Money on 02/09/11 at 06:18 PM [Reply]

It is a shame that the BOC renewed Clerici's contract. I just hope he did not get the 4% pay raise, there was nothing in the article. I just hope the taxpayers vote out the members of the BOC.

#2.1 Moron on 02/10/11 at 02:24 PM [Reply]

I bet BM&K CON-sulants DID get their 4% raise because from what was previously stated, when this issue first came up, there was a clause that gave them an automatic raise every year their contract was re-newed. AS for Tom's and Bruce's comments about their work "looking good", mine would too if I was getting paid over one million per year!!!! As for Hunter's comment, we STILL get change orders even 'tho we have a "professional" job jumper on the payroll.
I say, guys, hire a consulant from Jackson
County and "Keep tax dollars at home"..... I beleive we have many more qualified consulants in our County than just one!!!

#3 one in the know on 02/10/11 at 01:26 PM [Reply]

Way to go knuckle heads!!!!!!
Chas has his eyes wide open, but........he can not see daylight. I also agree that Yates is a double dipper!!!!
I just hope that the people of Jackson County can remember these actions when heir elected ones come up for re-election. As I have said over and over, the people of Jackson County have VERY short memories.

#4 Shameshameshameshame on 02/10/11 at 07:33 PM [Reply]

Shame on all 4 of the Commissioners that voted for this. Folks will be watching. You need to remember what happened to Mr Kinnerly (Gwinett Commissioner) who got caught with his hand out. I thought I knew Mr Yates and Mr Hardy. Guess I didn't. I knew Tom and Hunter were connected, but I wasn't aware that Chas and Bruce are knee deep also.
Guys, you have to live with what you did. Goodluck

#5 Puzzled on 02/15/11 at 03:07 PM [Reply]

Interesting....now I know why Clerici asked his neighbors via the homeowners newsletter to vote for Hunter Biknell

#6 concerned on 02/16/11 at 06:01 PM [Reply]

Nobody questions the quality of work of Clerici, however how can this be justified when 17 county workers lost their jobs and the County employess have to furlough a day a month. If the County is so bad off where did the million dollars come from that Clerici was paid? Furlough Money! Disappointed in our County commissioners and proud of Smith for standing up for what is right. Please Mike, investigate this like you did Madison.

#7 saddened on 02/16/11 at 06:08 PM [Reply]

Thanks Smith for trying and Crow, what is wrong with you. Clerici's work is probably good and should be for a million dollars, however how can you justify this when 17 people lost their jobs and furloughs happen every month. Stop the furloughs,obviously the County is not broke. Every meeting there is more money being spent. Come on Mike, investigate this like you did Madison.

#7.1 Timefor change on 02/18/11 at 05:12 PM [Reply]

I never thought I would ever say this but I almost wish we were closer to Atlanta. The Newspaper and TV Stations blow the whisle on corruption almost every week. You can't turn on Channel 2 or Channel 5 without hearing of corrupt officials getting caught. This goes from State Court Judges to Policemen, Commissioners,etc. I guess that is what established media feel is their responsibilities. Since the 2001-2004 Commissioners left office, Mike has turned a deaf ear to all corruption(except Mr Madison).
Mike, I hope that is not a sign that you are connected to the Good Old Boys in power now.

#8 Outraged at ignorance!!! on 02/17/11 at 10:35 PM [Reply]

To deny a $600,000 savings to the taxpayers of Jackson County with such arrogance is unacceptable in this severe economic depressive climate most of us are struggling through. Thank you Mr. Smith for taking a stand for our(taxpayer) money. It does make me wonder why the other 4 taxpaying commissioners are not as concerned about the tax money. Mr. Buffington could connect the dots and sell lots of newspapers too.

#8.1 Holy Cow, tyhe County Goes FUll Circle on 05/16/11 at 01:23 PM [Reply]

Unbelieveable, just how corrupt Jackson County BOC seem to be. I was Public Development Director there several years agao, and suffered never ending abuse, because of questioning Don Clerici's engineering contracts with the county that had an obvious conflict of interest. Also, I was often targeted because the engineer working for the county was not associated with Mr. Clerici, and she was constantly belittled, harrassed and not allowed to do her job correctly. Please do remember that Don Clerici was forced to resign from Jackson County government!

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BOC renews contract with Don Clerici’s firm

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BOC renews contract with Don Clerici’s firm

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