[quote]New guidelines for professional-service firms[/quote]
After heated debate last month over how professional-service firms are selected for economic development projects, the Jackson Redevelopment Authority will institute a new set of guidelines for how they’re chosen.
The board Wednesday unanimously approved what it hopes is a more transparent method of selecting engineers, architects, attorneys and consultants for projects.
“It’s basically best business practices that most (private) companies would use,” said JRA board member John Reeves, who pushed for the changes.
Under the new guidelines, professional-service firms will first need to present qualifications, malpractice or liability coverage and a scope of services to JRA’s executive director.
If that person is found to be qualified for a project, the authority’s finance committee and then the full board would vote on whether to hire that firm.
If a company unexpectedly runs up extra billing hours, it would have to notify the executive director and JRA would have to approve that extra money, Reeves said.
In December, he and fellow board member Mat Thomas verbally sparred over Thomas’ attempt to bring in AJA Inc. to serve as construction monitor on a since-collapsed deal between the city and Transcontinental Realty Investors of Dallas to build a hotel to serve the Jackson Convention Complex.
Reeves said the board didn’t have the chance to thoroughly review the company’s qualifications, and that it wasn’t part of a list of firms already slated to be engaged for the hotel project.
Other members of the board said the company has a strong track record in various development projects in the state.
Thomas voted for the new system Wednesday but added he feels he acted properly in trying to have JRA include AJA in the project, since a the time there was no rule then barring his actions.
“I’m satisfied with the (new) process, as long as we follow the process,” he said.
All professional-services firms that currently do regular work for JRA will have to resubmit their qualifications.
That includes the handful of attorneys who serve as the agency’s general counsel.
Zachary Taylor, one of those attorneys, said he and his colleagues are fine with Wednesday’s decision.
Written by Jeff Ayres | Clarion Ledger
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