By David Purvis-Fenker
david@nmpaper.com
WABASH – Wabash County Attorney Stephen Downs voiced a concern to Wabash County Commissioners about a contract with H.J. Umbaugh at Monday’s commissioners meeting.
Umbaugh is the county’s financial advisory firm for the proposed jail project.
Downs told Commissioners he is concerned about the contract quoting the asking price for their financial advisory services.
The contract stated that they would not charge more than $30,000 without further approval.
“I’d like to firm up that language,” Downs said.
While he did not feel Umbaugh was being improper, Downs wanted to verify that the list of services they intended to provide can be provided for the quoted amount.
“I’d like some representation that they’re going to be able to do these services for the $30,000. I think that’s implicit in the contract, but they gave themselves some wiggle room,” he said, noting that he did not fault them for that.
The concern is that, with Umbaugh charging between $100 and $450 per hour depending on the employee working on the project, the company may reach the quoted amount before the project is finished.
The commissioners gave Downs permission to contact Umbaugh to clarify the contract.