The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday saved approximately $30,000 by approving a collaborative bid with DuPage County to purchase stone and gravel, which the District will use for trail maintenance and other construction projects.
“This is yet another example of how intergovernmental cooperation can help us operate more efficiently and save taxpayers money,” said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore.
At the request of the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners, District staff met with the county in 2014 to identify materials that both agencies purchased throughout the year. As a result of those discussions, the District asked the county to collaborate on this particular bid.
“The Forest Preserve District is committed to leading the way on expanded intergovernmental agreements and promoting cooperation between governing bodies to maximize benefits for the good people of DuPage County,” according to Commissioner Jeff Redick, District 2. “Very simply, these types of common-sense agreements allow us to do more for less.”
The board’s action allows the Forest Preserve District to purchase crushed stone and gravel, sand, riprap and other aggregate materials from companies in Roselle, Naperville, Addison and Villa Park. By approving contracts with multiple companies, District management is able to select the most cost-effective supplier for each project.
“District staff will pick up and deliver the materials to the forest preserve site, so having a variety of aggregates and vendor locations will help us choose the best option for each based on what we need for a particular project and the distance and total drive time,” explained Justin Frederick, a manager of site operations with the District’s Community Services & Education division.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube pages.