By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Although some specifics were not shared, two head staffers within Whitewater City Hall made it clear they desired to seek out a new security vendor.
Matt Amundson, the city’s recently departed parks and recreation director, came before the Common Council on Nov. 15 amid his final days on the job. During his employ with Whitewater, Amundson frequently oversaw municipal facilities-related issues, including security accommodations.
Earlier this year, the council issued a contract to Per Mar Security, a company the city has done business with in the past. Per Mar was tasked with implementing a new keyless entry system at all municipal buildings.
When the city sought bids, Amundson said Per Mar provided the lowest quote. But once a contract was issued, Amundson said Per Mar staffers came back and attempted to renegotiate to a higher fee, asserting they were not authorized to offer the price specified.
“We took that as an opportunity to inform them that we really weren’t interested in continuing,” Amundson said.
During a larger-scale discussion about Per Mar’s other services to the city, Amundson revealed there was discontent with Per Mar after digging deeper into the issue.
“Some other areas of the city raised concerns with contracts and performance,” Amundson said.
City Manager Cameron Clapper offered a similar sentiment at the meeting, saying, “The performance, in regard to this offer, seems to be consistent with other elements of the service, hence our desire to have that absolved.”
With consultation from City Attorney Wally McDonell added into the mix, Amundson in his final days of working for Whitewater said he began attempting to hammer out an agreement with a competing security firm.
Plans call for Clapper presenting the council with a contract for that as-yet unnamed firm in the near future so the keyless entry project can proceed.
