Critics fear a corruption free-for-all if Baltimore City voters approve Question E

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — City leaders are asking voters to sign off on a major change to how the city awards large contracts, but critics warn the proposal could weaken safeguards meant to prevent corruption.

The debate centers on Question E on the November ballot. If approved, it would allow the city to eliminate its policy of awarding large city contracts to the lowest and responsible bidder.

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Former City Councilman Jody Landers said the proposal has not been clearly explained to residents.

“I really don’t think the council has done a good job of explaining to the public what the implications are,” Landers said.

Landers argued that removing the lowest-bid requirement could create opportunities for favoritism.

It’ll just open it up to steering contracts to favorite contractors who are top campaign contributors. It opens the door to corruption which it was designed to prevent,” Landers said.

In May, the measure received unanimous approval from the city’s Charter Review Commission.

Supporters said the current system can end up costing more when projects run into problems. City leaders said the lowest bidder on projects often proves to be the most costly after cost overruns and unexpected work contribute to the final price tag.

“There’s significant reform that needs to take place with the procurement process and taking out the lowest bid is one of those things that needs to be done,” Councilwoman Odette Ramos said at a May hearing.

Former Mayor Sheila Dixon believes the ballot question raises far more questions than it answers.

“What is going to be in place if you don’t have the lowest bidder?” Dixon asked. “Before you bring this before the taxpayers you should bring ‘what is this going to be?'”

“What corporation eliminates a corporate policy without defining what’s going to take its place yet? That’s what we’re being asked to do,” Landers said.

“We’re not trying to hide anything, all of this will be in the public sphere to have these discussions,” Ramos said at a Charter Review Hearing in May.

If voters approve Question E, the city said it will write a new procurement policy.

Opponents argue voters should know the replacement rules before being asked to approve the change.

“Until they decide what they want to take its place it doesn’t make sense for voters to approve it,” Landers said.