A Princeton business owner approached town council as a delegation at a special meeting last week to inquire about the town’s purchasing policies.
Specifically, Jackie Hilton, who has owned Auto Tac for 13 years, asked to know why her business was not being asked for quotes, and why products she supplies are sometimes being sourced out of town.
Auto Tac is a print shop, producing clothing to order, signage and related items.
While acknowledging she does receive town business, she stated many jobs have been sent out of town recently, and she hasn’t been asked to quote on them.
Those include signs for the municipal airport, business park, arena and clothing at the visitor’s centre, as well as water contamination signs for the flood event, and parking signs.
During the same time she said she was hired to create street signs, ICBC audit signs, water restriction signs, public work signs and masks, and t-shirts for the arena.
Over 20 minutes, Hilton detailed in chronological order a series of what she said were unsatisfying meetings with town managers, related to bids, over the past two years.
“I’m not stating the municipality doesn’t support me,” she said. “I’m not an unreasonable person. I know sometimes we need to shop beyond our local community to save money…
“But how do you know if you are saving taxpayer dollars when you don’t even get a quote?”
Hilton told council that by using local businesses, dollars are kept in the community and businesses in town are then better placed to pass on that support to non-profit groups, community events and others in need.
“It says ‘Shop Local’ on your electronic sign,” she remarked.
Following her presentation Coun. Randy McLean spoke in defence of the town’s job contract practices.
“We have to get the best value for taxpayers that we can get…Bottom line is the dollar,” McLean said.
Hilton responded: “At least a local should have a kick at the can.”
Mayor Spencer Coyne spoke with the Spotlight following the meeting.
“We continue to support her and we continue to buy from her,” he said.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Our council has spent more money than the previous council, in her business.”
Coyne also noted the town follows its purchasing policy, which was adopted by a previous administration. It does not include direction for using local vendors.
The policy states that managers are permitted to authorize spending up to $10,000, and the CAO has the same power for up to $20,000. Over that amount, purchases must be approved by council.
Under the policy, protocol is that three verbal quotes should be obtained for purchases between $1,500 and $5,000.
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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com
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