Local Contractor Receives No-Bid Contracts

Dayton Daily News:

When Lord asked Harrah about whether there was a relationship between David Waibel’s status as a Republican political fundraiser and Waibel Energy Systems receiving multi-million dollar contracts, Harrah said he had no proof, but had his suspicions.
“You got this guy who lives in Miami County. He’s hosted statewide people, federal candidates. And you know, he contributes a lot of money,” Harrah said, according to a recording of an interview that took place after he had negotiated a plea deal with prosecutors.
As part of their investigation, detectives examined how Waibel Energy came to receive the $2.4 million county HVAC contract without local competitive bidding. They found that company officials walked commissioners through a process that allowed the county to award Waibel Energy Systems the contract outright.
The process involved enrolling Miami County in a purchasing cooperative that solicits bids for goods and services nationally, then allows local governments to hire the winning bidders.
Other governments use the same cooperative. For example, Montgomery County has used it three times in recent years, twice for contracts with Waibel.
Some construction industry professionals and critics allege governments use purchasing cooperatives to hand-pick preferred contractors while cutting out potential lower bidders. The cooperatives themselves say they provide the best — though not always the cheapest — contractors, and that it’s the responsibility of local governments to make sure they are following local laws.
County administrator/clerk Leigh Williams told Lord in July she didn’t understand the process very well, and that commissioners were awaiting more detailed legal guidance on the issue from the state.
The Daily News contacted the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, which said it was unfamiliar with legal issues involving these organizations. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has not issued a public legal opinion on the issue, a spokesman said.

The Miami County Republican Mafia has always watched out for itself as opposed to taxpayers.  This might be a bigger deal than their run for reelection, then resign and appoint the chosen replacement so they can run for reelection in three-and-a-half years as an incumbent scam.  One party rule is unhealthy for any level of government.  Miami County has been run by the Republican party for eternity.