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January / February 2010
Volume 22, Number 1

News you can use

Purchasing Cooperative Gives Back to Its Members, Saving Taxpayer Dollars

The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative Board recently distributed approximately $2.2 million on a pro-rata basis to 1,057 Coop members who made purchases through the Coop during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

A total of 187 counties made purchases during that period and received a rebate of more than $300,000 combined. The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative allows local governments to work together through collective purchasing and provides compliance with purchasing laws which saves time and money for counties and other local entities.

The $2.2 million rebate is a result of continuing growth in the Cooperative’s annual purchasing volume and membership, and brings the total amount rebated to members at just over $5.6 million since 2006.

“A return of more than $2 million in rebates is clear proof of the strength of local governments working together to benefit taxpayers. The power of collective purchasing not only saves taxpayers’ money, it eases compliance with state purchasing laws,” said Todd W. Pearson, mayor of the City of Rockport and chair of the Cooperative board of directors.

The Cooperative started off with just 40 members in 1998. It currently has a total purchasing volume that exceeds $516 million and about 3,000 members, including school districts, colleges and universities, counties, municipalities and other local government entities. Membership is free and open to all local governments, nonprofits, and other political subdivisions of the state of Texas. There are hundreds of vendors and thousands of items available, such as copy paper, custodial supplies and road graders.

“The continuing health of the Cooperative has resulted in more vendor service fees than needed to cover annual expenditures and the Board is extremely pleased to approve the rebates. Such a step is a direct result of the confidence members have placed in the Cooperative and their ongoing participation,” said Gerald Brashears, director of Business Services Management, Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).

Endorsed by the Texas Association of Counties, Texas Association of School Administrators, and Texas Municipal League, the Cooperative is administered and sponsored by TASB. Hundreds of vendors and thousands of items, from copier paper to fire trucks, are posted on the BuyBoard®, the cooperative’s electronic purchasing system.

“Over the years, the Cooperative has continued to expand available products and services based on member needs, resulting in significant growth in purchase orders and ever increasing interest from local governments. The wide selection of vendors, great prices, convenience, and competitively procured goods and services will provide members increased benefits now and in the future,” Brashears said. More information about the Cooperative and the BuyBoard is available on the TAC Web site at www.county.org/market.