A dust-up over a $60,000 contract awarded to the daughter of Bill Newell, CAO for the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS), has been settled internally, according to a release.
“The RDOS board of directors has confidence that regional district staff will continue to serve the community with the highest integrity,” said Mark Pendergraft, RDOS chair, in a written statement.
“To ensure fairness and transparency in the awarding of all contracts, the regional district board intends to review the RDOS code of ethics and purchasing and sales policies in the coming weeks.”
The statement indicated there would be no further comment from the RDOS on the issue.
Late in 2022 the regional district awarded a $60,000 contract to Sundog Solutions, a consulting firm attached to Newell’s daughter, to perform an emergency program review.
Two in-camera meetings were held after Newell brought the potential conflict forward, at a regular meeting.
Newell is responsible for the district’s emergency management program and participated in the proposal evaluation.
According to Sundog’s website, Amanda Newell is its founder and primary consultant, holding a certificate and master’s degree in disaster and emergency management.
Related; RDOS boss in hot water over $60K contract awarded to daughter’s consulting firm
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com
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