Town Violates Competitive Bidding Laws on Construction of Outdoor Recreation Facility

The Washington State Auditor's Office issued a finding that the Town of Winthrop, Washington failed to competitively bid the construction of an outdoor recreation facility with total project costs in excess of $336,000.  

The auditor noted that town employees were not aware of the requirements to bid the work, a finding disputed in the town's response.  The town did not consider the project to be a public work because it was funded by grants and donations and volunteer efforts from the community at large.

Once a public agency receives funds from any source (grants, donations, etc.), they become public funds and the agency is subject to all of the competitive bidding laws required for that agency.

To read a copy of the audit finding, click here.