EDITORIAL: Hooked on bidding for tow trucks
NWI Times
The Times Editorial Board
Mar 28, 2017
Some 23 towing firm contractors are bidding to be on a list of preferred towing companies for Lake County government work. This is a big improvement in the way these contracts have been handled in the past.
Though it may not be perfect, it’s a change in the right direction from the private deals cut by Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, who now is under federal indictment for bribery in the matter. Buncich pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
The Lake County Council voted in January to reform the county's towing business by shifting authority to award contracts to the commissioners, rather than the sheriff.
The commissioners, to their credit, had promised to use the Indiana State Police vendor qualifications as a guide for setting up the new system.
Commissioner President Mike Repay, D-Hammond, said this month the county would create a new map of districts where an undetermined number of winning firms will operate. That's fair, as tow operators must be available to respond quickly whenever police need their services. The sheriff had set nine districts.
The new boundaries are to be apportioned equally to avoid creating some districts that were more lucrative than others for tow operators.
Earlier this month, 23 tow operators submitted their bids. Repay said at least five of the applicants had done work for the sheriff, and will continue to do so until the new system is in place.
The new system has more transparency, under a bidding process that is easier for the public to see and understand. The possibility of backroom deals is lessened under this system.
Throughout this process, the county should keep in mind that the goal is to get traffic moving again quickly. It is not about how much revenue the county can get out of the deal. Customers should be treated fairly in the process.
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