Wichitopekington

The city spent $1.5 million on consultants in 2006. That’s according to the city’s self-analysis released Tuesday in a move that should make Sedgwick County’s forthcoming consultant use analysis that much more interesting.

The city’s release indicates their defensive stance shortly after county commissioners requested an analysis of consultant spending and after inquiries by The Eagle and KAKE-TV. The city’s statements also seem to respond to several mayoral and council candidates who have taken jabs at what they perceive as too much consultant use.

But candidates, many of whom list reduce government spending as a top priority, aren’t likely to cut back their anti-consultant rhetoric anytime soon.

Street engineering studies account for much of the outside firm hiring, but the city has also paid for outside analysis of their productivity, surveys, legal aid and recruiting of job candidates.

Although the council frequently asks why city staffers are asking for consultants, the council is usually satisfied with the results — at least enough to almost always unanimously approve the consultant contracts either one-by-one or in bulk when they’re under $25,000. And a lot of the fees are actually paid by particular neighborhoods via special assessments for paving or sewer projects.

“Consultants provide an independent and outside perspective required on some projects to comply with Federal and state regulations or City ordinances,” according to a press release issued today.

“Consultants are utilized” it continues, “when the project is a nonrecurring one or if the City may be short of critical expertise. Some projects occur infrequently, or call for special skills that cannot be learned quickly or easily by staff. Other projects require a quick turnaround. During peak demands there is an economy of scale utilizing consultants; engaging a consultant is cost effective and will be less expensive in the long run than hiring new employees or manager.”

• The majority of design contracts listed on this report are neighborhood or development type projects, or charged to specific homeowners through special assessments. The original intent for outsourcing these design contracts was to minimize construction time for public improvements through efficient office and field coordination, thereby reducing inconvenience to the public, and lowering interest costs.

** Purchase Order dollar amount designated is the not to exceed amount for the contract and not the amount that was paid to the vendor.

*** Contracts that have December Report under Comments will go to City Council on February 13, 2007.