A pleasant "end" that includes 21 beautiful soccer fields does not justify inappropriate means. West Jordan should account for allegations it skirted state bidding and procurement laws to build the popular sports facility. Unfortunately, the luster of the laudable new complex at 7900 South and 4100 West has now been tarnished somewhat.
State law is crystal clear when it comes to paying for public projects: Contracts that exceed $25,000 must go out for competitive bid and cannot be divided into bite-sized bits to circumvent the process. Such laws are in place to ensure fairness and the best expenditure of taxpayer dollars. West Jordan is even more strict, requiring competitive bids on purchases above $10,000 and on public works projects greater than $8,000.Yet the city's records indicate that just over $1 million of the $6 million soccer complex was awarded through competitive bidding. The remaining $5 million apparently was granted arbitrarily through contracts approved by city administrative staff. That is wrong.
Three city employees have been placed on administrative leave without pay while questions about them moonlighting on the sizable project are answered. Potential for such abuse is high when there is wanton disregard for legal and common-sense bidding protocols. A thorough, independent investigation into the matter by the Utah Attorney General's Office is merited and has been requested by the grassroots Citizens for Integrity in Government Committee.
On top of those violations, the West Jordan City Council never formally approved the majority of the contracts despite a city ordinance requiring it to do so for expenditures of $10,000 or more not included as budget line items.
While the original intent of city officials to fast-track construction and save money by paying a portion of it with private funds is admirable, good intentions do not justify breaking the rules. The lack of bidding and council approval is inexcusable and opened potential doors for cronyism, kickbacks, bribery, graft and other abuses.
That's not to say with certainty that any of that occurred in West Jordan. But laws are in place to ensure none of it does. Circumventing those laws is a serious breach of public trust that should not be taken lightly.