STEVENS POINT — The Stevens Point Finance Committee voted to approve a $146,183 contract with Somerville Inc. for a comprehensive citywide municipal facilities study, exceeding the project's original $125,000 budget.
The city originally budgeted $125,000 for an initial evaluation of city-owned buildings. However, an official Request for Proposals (RFP) yielded two submissions: a $118,500 proposal from Wise Business Plans LLC and a $146,183 proposal from Somerville Inc.
City staff recommended accepting Somerville’s higher bid, stating it represented the most thorough evaluation. Staff noted that while a full-scale facilities audit and energy study could cost upwards of $400,000, Somerville scaled down its scope to deliver an actionable baseline assessment closer to the city's budget constraints.
The selection of Somerville prompted pushback during public input. District 4 Alderperson Andrea Olson raised concerns regarding Somerville's existing role as the city’s architect for the ongoing City Hall construction.
Olson cautioned that utilizing the same firm for a citywide facility assessment could create an ethical conflict of interest if Somerville subsequently bids on municipal construction projects highlighted by its own study.
Committee members and staff countered that no single consultant possesses the multidisciplinary engineering and architectural expertise required for a full structural evaluation. Members emphasized that any future building projects recommended by the study would still require explicit Common Council approval and competitive bidding.
Following deliberations, Alder Keymer moved to approve the additional $21,183 in funding to award the $146,183 contract to Somerville Inc. The motion was then passed unanimously.
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