20-year running contract put on hold by governor's questions

A 20-year contract for legal services in water litigation was put on hold Wednesday because it has no maximum dollar amount.

"I'm not voting for anything that doesn't have a cap on it," said Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The contract is for the Reno firm of Hoffman, Test, Guinan & Collier to continue providing legal service in water cases for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The company has done so since 1979 and Guinn said he wasn't objecting to the services provided or the rates the company charges.

"It's just that I can't imagine any reasonable person voting for something that doesn't have a cap," he said adding that the contract could cost the state anything from 29 cents next year to more than $1 million.

Guinn, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and Secretary of State Dean Heller - who make up the Board of Examiners - agreed contracts must have a maximum dollar amount in them. And Guinn told Director of Administration Perry Comeaux to make sure every contract that comes to the board has a reasonable dollar limit in it.

"Then if they need more, they can always come back to us," he said.

The board also pulled a proposed contract with Friends In Service Helping to convert an unused state building into a shelter for homeless men.

Heller said Lisa Lee of Carson Advocates to End Domestic Violence was worried the homeless shelter was too close to one of her safe houses for battered women.

Del Papa and Guinn agreed with Heller that the issue needs to be resolved before allowing the lease - although they emphasized that they support FISH's efforts to help homeless men.

The board approved the concept of a global contract with Wackenhut to provide security services to state buildings where Capitol Police aren't available. But they asked for a report detailing how much security is needed and proof this will save money over individual contracts with security companies already signed on by various agencies.

Among the users of private security are state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and Welfare around the state.

Those issues will come back before the board Oct. 20.