Rockdale BOC approves contract despite ethics concerns

Tuesday, July 24, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS -- Commissioners exchanged harsh words Tuesday before ultimately voting to approve a contract with a company that had hosted a fundraiser for one commissioner and recently donated to the campaign of another.

The Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 during Tuesday's public meeting on a contract with Resurgens Risk Management for $60,000 a year to provide employee insurance and benefits. Previously, Conyers-based NuVision Financial Corporation provided this service for the county.

The circumstances surrounding the vote raised concerns by many, including Post 2 Commissioner JaNice Van Ness, when it was learned that Resurgens hosted a fundraiser for Post 1 Commissioner Oz Nesbitt in June. The consulting firm also donated $250 to Commissioner Chairman Richard Oden's reelection campaign on May 31. Oden, however, returned that check a few days later, on June 4.

Most of Oden's and Nesbitt's political opponents called for the two to recuse themselves from the vote.

Instead, Oden addressed the issue head-on prior to calling for a vote. He said he and a number of county department heads received an anonymous packet of information last week alleging the improper fundraiser and campaign contributions, as well as information showing that Chief of Staff Greg Pridgeon's son had at one time been an employee of Resurgens.

Oden said he thoroughly researched the matter and was satisfied that nothing in the RFP (request for proposals) process, that had been ongoing since last fall, was improper.

Van Ness, however, said she believed the RFP process was in fact tainted by the fact that it appears to have at least attempted to sway the votes of the commissioners.

She was further dismayed that locally based companies, including NuVision, Wells Fargo and BB&T, were not given extra credit in the rating process by the committee reviewing the RFPs for being local.

"I would move that we defer this vote and consider it under different standards," Van Ness said. "I would like to go in another direction."

She added that Pridgeon's scoring on the proposals should be omitted since his son did work at Resurgens, which would change the outcome of the committee's preferred company.

Nesbitt responded that he was unaware that local companies should receive any extra credit and added that the rating system was "fair and equitable." He questioned why, when this process has been ongoing since November and all this information is open to the public, this issue is raised now.

Nesbitt continued to say that NuVision had received a $600,000 contract with the county for years, and has operated for past several months under an expired contract until the county could approve a new one. He said the contract with Resurgens is only $60,000 and will save the county money in the long run.

Nesbitt then asked Van Ness to articulate her No. 1 concern with the contract.

"They hosted an event for you before this vote," Van Ness said. "This causes me concern on their behalf that they're trying to influence you."

Nesbitt responded that nothing had violated campaign ethics laws.

"That doesn't make it right. It's a judgment issue," Van Ness said.

Nesbitt then told Van Ness that she and every other member on past Boards of Commissioners had received campaign donations from NuVision for years.

"They were minimum contributions and they were not during the bid process," she countered. "Wells Fargo is not tainted in this process. Why are we not talking about them?"

"I'm done," Nesbitt said.

Oden then called for a vote, which passed with Van Ness in opposition.

"Shame on the two of you for your decision," she said.

Rockdale County resident Garvin Haynes addressed the board during the public comment period and said that Van Ness is the one who should be ashamed for accepting contributions from NuVision for the past six years.

He then urged the commissioners to pass a policy that any contributions by any company or person considering doing business with the county should be disclosed prior to any vote on a contract.

Van Ness said she has already made the suggestion that full disclosure should be made before moving forward on any contract and that she plans to introduce a policy that would give extra points to local companies bidding on work for the county.

More like this story

Comment during meeting raises Nesbitt's ire ( September 26, 2012 )
Campaign finance complaint filed against Nesbitt ( August 14, 2012 )
Conflict of interest alleged in upcoming contract vote ( July 23, 2012 )
County health care contracts OK'd ( September 26, 2012 )
County continues to work toward health contracts for employees ( August 19, 2011 )

Frustrated 10 months, 4 weeks ago

I dont think anything else needs to be said. The actiions of Oden and especially Nesbitt speak for themselves. They both have the "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" mentality. Its time for BOTH to go.

BOCWatch 10 months, 4 weeks ago

You can find the video here:

http://bocwatch.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=857#p2754

Do you need another reason to go vote? Please share with your friends in Rockdale. I also have it on Facebook for you to share:

http://www.facebook.com/ElectSamSmiley

Sundance 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Mr Smiley.OK I watched the video. I am not a big fan of Nesbit and Oden but I feel like I might be missing something. They both sounded like they had been up front and forthcoming about any contributions. I didnt really see from that video why the vote was bad. Are there things not being discussed openly that are hidden that cant be seen? Is this small contract some kind of toe hold that will lead to bigger contracts? It seemed like a lot of emotion over something not that big. I am not familiar with these meetings so I don't really get it I guess. Also, would a county manager be the one to pick these contractors in the future if we went to that system? Thanks for any light you can shed.

BOCWatch 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Hi Sundance, The issue is the inappropriate relationship of Commissioner Nesbitt to the vendor in question. Mr. Nesbitt was incorrect when he noted that there was nothing against State law in what was going on yesterday. Ms. Van Ness nailed it in that the fundraising event (see documents in BOCWatch.org link above) that Resurgens held for Mr. Nesbitt should have been filed on his disclosure as an inkind contribution. If you look at the invitation it notes that there will be plenty of food, I feel confident that this food would be over the $100 limit that Garvin Haynes spoke of in his public comments so therefore should have been listed in his disclosure. You can tell a great deal about a candidate when you look at their disclosure reports. I will refer you to all of the local candidate disclosures that I pulled a couple of weeks ago:

http://bocwatch.org/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=776

If in fact you want your BOC members voting for contracts favoring the highest contributor then there is nothing wrong with this at all. I'd prefer that the members that represent me make decisions based on merit of an organization rather than who is padding their pocket the most.

The county manager would not have changed what happen at this meeting, as the documentation shows current Chief of Staff Greg Pridgeon (who sat on the selection committee) also has a conflct with this since his son worked for Resurgens.

Now that the Chief of Staff reports to all three commissioners there is really very little difference in what we have currently vs. the county manager except the salary of the chairman, that should be lowered regardless if Oden wants to keep a full time chief of staff.

A very fine point to this that Commissioner Van Ness brought out was when she addressed Finance Director Roselyn Miller; she questioned whether or not money was budgeted for this in 2012...the answer to this is NO it is not budgeted. You see the contract with Resurgens is for $5,000/month iffective immediately; the contract that Nesbitt spoke of with NuVision doesn't expire until December 31st, 2012. So now we are paying Resurgens in the 2012 budget year while we are under contract with another company doing the same thing. Essentially they are double dipping.

Is there any wonder why the BOC millage has gone up 2.38 mills in the last two years when you do business like this? I don't expect all of the residents to understand every little crevase to this issue but if it walks like a duck, it quacks like a duck chances are...

johndoemo_ 10 months, 3 weeks ago

If what he did was against the law, is anyone working on holding him accountable?

Innocent_Bystander 10 months, 4 weeks ago

To my understanding of the video....Oden also received a contribution from NuVision that he sent back. Obviously the difference with Nuvisions contribution and Resurgens contribution to Oden is....there is no difference with the exception that Oden returned the money. I'm assuming ALL three of the campaigns have gotten Nuvision money since they took office...so sit down, take a Midol and shut your yap, Garvin!! Lending mortgages to Nesbitt while taking all the appointments handed to you surely puts you way off the list of Ethical people to criticize Commissioner VanNess for anything. .

Thank you JaNice for standing your ground.

lakeridge 10 months, 4 weeks ago

Lets just go ahead and move Rockdale's capitol to Atlanta. Ive heard of exporting jobs overseas, but over I-285??? .

On a brighter note, the best line of the article is when Nesbitt says 'Im done'. Hopeyyfully thats a preview of an election night concession speech.

Southside 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Atlanta has been the capitol of Rockdale for our entire lifetime.

captainwells 10 months, 4 weeks ago

I think were missing one point. The fundraiser held on the Resurgens property had to result in donations. Donations not from Resurgens specifically but others there. If this is not an ethics violation ... what the heck is. Oden and oz need to go with obama. There all three a bunch of ZERO's

Elmo 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Obama, Oden, Oz...three O's, tic-tac-toe...they win.

I hope everyone will remember where to put their X's on election day.

This corruption in the form of cronyism, voted into office by the very people who decry the "good old boy" system.

Vote these two (actually three, counting obama) another term and America becomes "Pottersville". Narcissists don't need to have power over people. Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Reese 10 months, 4 weeks ago

I knew without a doubt how this vote would go, but I am apalled there was a vote at all. I will say, however, that I am thrilled Nesbitt is done. Hopefully Oden is too. I can't wait for Sam Smiley to take his seat on the Board.

Frustrated 10 months, 3 weeks ago

One thing that is interesting to me is the fact Oden keeps using the "Buy Rockdale" slogan but is always going OUT of county to hire companies to do business with the county. Oden and Nesbitt both went out of county to hold fundraisers. If the county doesnt have good enough companies to do county business and the county isnt a good place to have your campaign fundraisers, then maybe YOU arent good enough for the county.

Elmo 10 months, 3 weeks ago

I think he is dead serious about "Buy Rockdale", he IS buying it, one vote at a time.

heresyafacts 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Pridgeon doesn't care about this county; he lives in Fulton. He just wants his son on the gravy train. The people who are donating to Oden and Nesbitt are predominantly out-of-county, and THEY don't care about Rockale, either. All they are about is what they can get, and O and N have shown them over and over that 'friends' will get the county's money. O and N don't care about the county, either; they're both from elsewhere and when the party's over and well's dry, they'll relocate.

Elmo 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Actually, Nesbitt and Oden spells NO, remember that at the polls.

BrentLuNae 10 months, 3 weeks ago

The contract with Resurgens that BOCWatch is referring to is on the County website under the BOC meetings, if anyone cares to read it. It is actually a multi-year contract. It can renew for up to 4 years which will total to well over $200,000 for the complete term, if renewed. I am shocked that there is no preference given to local (Rockdale) vendors/contractors as other counties do have this provision in the their bidding process.

Frustrated 10 months, 3 weeks ago

I read the contract and proposals and it looks like, someone please correct me if Im wrong, there were two companies that bid lower than Resurgeons. The letter of reccomendation from the committee wanted to actually start the contract in May. So why werent the other two companies considered? Makes you just say hmmmmmm.

OverStand 10 months, 2 weeks ago

You are wrong, Resurgens was the lowest bidder.

deeplyconcerned 10 months, 2 weeks ago

overstand...read my post below and you will see that Resurgens was NOT the lowest bidder for the timeframe of the work. they played games with the numbers.

maryinga 10 months, 3 weeks ago

How suprising.....a 2 to 1 vote!!

pressman7 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Well said Frustrated. May I opine? If you are not aware that local businesses should receive more credit, you may be working for the wrong county. Do you want your locals to die on the vine. Maybe I could get a job loading his teleprompter with the proper things to say.

REK 10 months, 3 weeks ago

WOW. Busted and still voting yes. It appears that O and O just flipped off the constituents of Rockdale County. Pretty much sums up the decision making of this board the last few years.

deeplyconcerned 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Great point, BrentLuNae. You are exactly right, but let’s take it one more step and point out another fact. (Since Oden started the discussion on Tuesday on the video by saying all he wanted was to have the facts out there.) The contract with Resurgens as presented to the Board was for July 24, 2012 until December 31, 2012. Resurgens will bill the County $5000 per month, so from August to December 2012 that’s $25,000. Nesbitt said the contract was a “measly $60,000”…well, the fact is that during the first 17 months (August 2012 through December 2013) of work Resurgens will actually bill the County $85,000—the $25,000 for work done in 2012 and $60,000 for work done in 2013. According to the price sheets distributed at the Board meeting there were two companies, including a Rockdale-based company, that entered bids LESS than that for the same 17-month timeframe. So how is this out-of-town consultant supposed to save us money???

shocked 10 months, 3 weeks ago

The Oden and Oz comedy show has got to go. Garvin if you want to be king of Rockdale County then RUN FOR OFFICE.

Frustrated 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Garvin doesnt want to be in charge he just wants to sit back and criticize everybody. Guess he has to attract attention somehow since he got kicked off the election board

VPublicola 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Oden did not refund all the contributions that Resurgens had contributed to his campaign. He only refunded one-third of the total contributed to his campaign.

Other interesting tidbits, Greg Pridgeon's wife made a contribution too! Her occupation is listed as 'housewife.' Unless she is paid to be a housewife then this may be a county employee using his wife to give the boss a campaign contribution. Additionally, 84% of Odens itemized campaign contributions are from individuals or entities from outside Rockdale County. Finally, as for Oden's itemized expenditures, there are 6 different individuals (1 of which is running for a School Board seat) or entities that share the same address - 1009 Milstead Avenue, Suite 200.

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