How They Spend Our Money

About As Useful As . . .

A new year brings with it new budgets and new purchases and our government is no different. In our newest feature the Water Buffalo Press will spotlight recent governmental purchases through public bids, the figures we will list will be numbers from the lowest bidder - although the contract does not always go to the lowest bidder.

Our first highlight comes from the City of Rochester and is about as valuable as an extra head. Bid number 106680 was for annual plants and an 'Apparent Low' (the City's term, not mine) of $10,481 was received from Fernecchia Farms. There was only one problem: Fernecchia Farms was the only group to bid. A rebid, number 106685, was conducted two weeks later and at least three bids were received. This time Fernecchia received the contract because they were the low bidder, right? Nope - Fernecchia did not even appear to bid this time as they were not listed in the 'Apparent Lows.' But the winning bidder was around $10,000, right? Nope - the lowest bidder this time around was Blue Heron at $23,097. That's right - taxpayers will shell out at least $23,000 this year for some flowers and a spider plant.