News
MI: Orr seeks bids to privatize parking dept. despite council’s objection
Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr is proceeding with plans to seek bids to privatize the city’s valuable parking department even though the City Council last week rejected the move. Orr sent a letter on Monday to union officials whose members work in the parking department informing them he would be issuing a request for proposals to gauge the interest of potential bidders to buy or manage the department, which includes parking meters, several parking garages and a towing operation for abandoned vehicles. The council voted, 6-2, last week to reject Orr’s request. Detroit Free Press
OR: Portland mayor proposes tolls for city highways
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales is proposing to add tolls to city highways to help pay for maintenance, as the federal government is backing away from its long-term commitment to pay for the national highway system. KOIN.com
WI: State Debate: Outsourcing plan a soundbite complains the Appleton Post-Crescent
The Appleton Post-Crescent complains that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.’s plan to monitor outsourcing by state companies it helps with Wisconsin taxpayer money is more of a soundbite than a plan. Outsourcing isn’t a simple topic like Scott Walker and Mary Burke seem to be suggesting. It needs a closer look and a plan of action, not a campaign ad, the P-C editorializes. Capitol Times
GA: Augusta set to bring outsourced human resources services back in house
Four years after city leaders pushed to outsource the government’s health and welfare benefits administration to global outsourcing firm Automatic Data Processing, the service might be headed back in-house. According to Human Resources Director Tanika Bryant, despite ADP’s contract to handle most benefits-related calls from current and retired employees, the two city benefits representatives are still swamped with calls. It would be cheaper to replace the benefits administration portion of ADP’s contract with three additional city staffers, she said. The Augusta Chronicle