DANE COUNTY BOARD EYES WAIVING VENDOR FEES

May 16, 2018
Sharon Corrigan, County Board Chair 608.333.2285
County Board

Thursday meeting also includes EMS tribute, speed limit changes

 

 

Looking to decrease barriers for new businesses, the Dane County Board is considering dropping the annual $20 registration fee for vendors seeking county work.

 

The change is before the Board at its regular meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. in Room 201 of the City-County Building.

Currently any person looking to bid on any Dane County contract must register with the purchasing manager and pay an annual fee of $20 to be included in the vendor database. The resolution before the board would rescind that vendor registration fee.

 

The fee was established in 2001 but generates an insignificant amount of revenue. The goal is to decrease the burden on emerging businesses to allow them a greater opportunity to secure business with Dane County while also reducing administrative costs.

 

“This fits into our effort to foster diversity and equity wherever we can,” said County Board Chair Sharon Corrigan. “It’s not a lot of money but it could be a barrier for those who might want to be a vendor for the county.”

 

Also Thursday, the Board will honor the Dane County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) regional system by designating May 20-26 as “Emergency Medical Services Week.”

 

The resolution names Dr. Michael Lohmeier, Medical Director for Dane County EMS and Charles Tubbs, Sr., Director of the Department of Emergency Management, along with the EMS chiefs of Deer Grove, Maple Bluff and Oregon Fire/EMS.

 

Deer Grove EMS, Maple Bluff Fire and Oregon Area Fire/EMS are all marking 40 years of service this year.

 

The Dane County EMS system responded to over 44,000 calls for service in 2017. Its defibrillation program launched in 1989 is credited with saving nearing 400 individuals including 31 last year.

 

The system now includes 1,043 emergency medical providers, almost half of whom are volunteers, who provide lifesaving care to those in need twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Members engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills.

 

 

Other items before the board Thursday include:

 

  • Lowering speed limits to 45 miles per hour on sections of County Trunk Highways in fast-growing suburban areas including parts of County M in Verona and Westport; County PB westerly to Whalen Road in Verona and portions of County MM in Fitchburg near the intersection with Goodland Park Road.

 

 

  • Awarding $615,000 from the Dane County Urban Water Quality Grant Program to the city of Madison for the East Towne Pond reconstruction project. The program is designed to improve the quality of urban storm water runoff entering county lakes, rivers and streams.

 

  • Accepting grant funds from the National Association of Conservation Districts to fund a new conservation specialist position to work with agricultural operations and landowners in the Yahara River Watershed.