Contractors lobby city, county for more work

Contractors wanting more government work got a chilly reception from El Paso County commissioners, who questioned whether taxpayers would be better served by farming out more work.

"What guarantee would we have when the economy turns around and contractors have tripled our price?" Commissioner Sallie Clark asked.

A group of contractors and residents called Taxpayers for Budget Reform are lobbying the county and the city of Colorado Springs.

During a work session Tuesday, county public services director Tim Wolken said the county already contracts for asphalt work, major road construction, traffic signal installation, concrete repair, tree pruning, janitor work, carpet cleaning and an array of other services.

But he added that the county could contract for pavement markings and major vehicle repairs now handled by county workers.

Paul Kleinschmidt, a contractor group spokesman, said the county should give local contractors preferential treatment to keep tax dollars local, especially during an economic downturn he called unprecedented.

"When we do work, we pay sales taxes, use taxes, personal property taxes, licensing fees," he said. "We add to the (tax) coffers. You don't." Government agencies are tax-exempt.

But Commissioner Dennis Hisey, who favors hiring contractors, said they would merely add the taxes into their bids, "so the county would pay it anyway."
Hisey also said the county wants taxpayers to get the best deal.

Clark said after the economy rebounds, contractors might be lured to other jobs, leaving the county without the personnel or equipment to serve the public.

County fire marshal Jim Reid noted that county crews must work 24/7 during snowstorms and assist in emergencies; for example, using road graders to build fire lines during wildland fires.