Lake County considers ‘environmentally preferred’ purchasing policy

Lake County is considering an “environmentally preferred” purchasing policy to prioritize green-friendly spending, but many questions remain as the proposal winds through a recommendation and approval process.

Potential impacts on project costs and how much additional to spend on preferred purchases are among the considerations regarding a policy that has been two years in the making.

The measure aligns with the county board's strategic plan “to act and operate in an environmentally responsible manner and lead by modeling best practices and incorporating sustainability in every aspect of our work,” according to a draft of the proposed policy.

With some limitations, priority when buying products and services would be given to those with less environmental impact.

According to the draft, an environmentally preferred certification form will be developed to allow vendors to identify sustainability standards, ecolabels and certifications they hold that are applicable to the products being bought.

In competitive bidding situations, a vendor that meets preferred standards and is within 5% of the lowest price will be recommended to the county board for approval, according to the proposal.

During a presentation Wednesday to the county board's planning, building, zoning and environment committee, Robin Grooms, the county's sustainability programs manager, said the policy isn't meant to inflate costs but ensure bids have a green option.

“It's very unlikely that every single bid we receive will have a vendor that meets all those requirements,” she said.

Five percent may not amount to much of a difference in lower cost items but that wouldn't be the case for contracts in the millions, said committee member Adam Schlick.

“We need to have some type of guardrail in place,” he said. “The first priority has to be we're using taxpayer dollars wisely.”

Schlick said he'd also like the policy to require more than one green bidder on a given contract.

“That’s a potential pitfall,” agreed committee member Sara Knizhnik.

Committee Chair Marah Altenberg asked whether the higher cost for preferred providers could affect time-sensitive projects.

“Do we want to let that affect our ability to get something done that needs to be done?” she asked.

The county board’s finance and administrative committee, which requested the policy, will consider it during its meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. But with lots of input to consider, a final recommendation is not expected, said Chair Paul Frank. The policy will require approval by the full county board.