By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After sending an open call to prospective contractors in the fall, Whitewater officials have selected a new janitorial services company in 2016 and anticipate paying more in the years ahead.
In an arrangement similar to the Whitewater Unified School District, the city has historically outsourced janitorial-related duties at all municipal-owned buildings. The city’s current three-year contract with Elkhorn-based KAS Custom Cleaning will end Dec. 31.
Matt Amundson, parks and recreation director, has oversight of facilities-related matters for all municipal buildings. Coming before the Common Council on Dec. 1, Amundson said he went through a formal request for proposals process and received two responses.
In the end, the council backed Amundson’s request to enter into a contract with Diversified Building Maintenance, headquartered in Janesville, at a monthly cost that is expected to range from $9,347 to $10,860.
KAS’ current three-year contract with the city entailed monthly compensation of $8,266. The city’s new contract with DBM will increase at least 13 percent.
DBM’s staff will be responsible for cleaning all six city-owned facilities, beginning Jan. 1. The list includes the main municipal building, the Innovation Center, Irvin L. Young Public Library, Downtown Armory building, Starin Park Community Building and Cravath Lakefront Community Center.
KAS opted not to send a quote for a new three-year contract period, but the city received one other bid from Fort Atkinson-based Jim’s Janitorial Services. That company provided a monthly quote of $13,845.
Amundson’s recommendation to the council was partially based on price, but he said there was another reason behind the favorable nod.
“This provider has an excellent reputation in Whitewater and is the current vendor for the school district,” Amundson said.
