Dallas County Commissioners passed a new purchasing ethics policy which includes a list of restrictions on behavior. The reform has been in the works since Commissioner John Wiley Price was arrested and his indictment spelled out corruption in county business.
A new purchasing ethics policy approved and a computer contract blocked were influenced Tuesday by the pending bribery case against Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price.
The purchasing ethics policy was approved unanimously at Tuesday's Dallas County Commissioners Court meeting, with Price voting in favor of it, though he never spoke about that item, the computer contract or his bribery case.
"I think it was as a result of that because everybody looked at how we can tighten everything up and I think as a result of what's been done, everything is as tight as you can possibly make it," County Commissioner Mike Cantrell said about the purchasing policy.
The policy includes precise rules against many of the practices that led to alleged bribes in the indictment.
"So I think that did stem from that indictment," Cantrell said. "And we had another court order today regarding Q Net."
The computer consulting firm was mentioned in the Price indictment but no one with the firm was accused of any crime.
The company was up for a contract extension on main frame computer work for the county Tuesday but County Judge Clay Jenkins was quick to speak against it.
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"It would seem to me there are a host of people out there who may have mainframe experience," Jenkins said. "Wouldn't the best practices be to bid this?"
County officials said the firm has unique experience but they will explore competitive bids for the work.
"I think the taxpayers do better when we compete for work," Jenkins said.
Price spoke extensively about Parkland Hospital Tuesday, complaining about difficulties obtaining information from the public hospital.
"These road blocks that they put up in just getting information that the public is entitled to, is not acceptable," Price said.
Price also praised Sheriff Lupe Valdez and county officials involved in solving jail problems to satisfy the U.S. Department of Justice.
"Do not go back on what we've done," Price said.
Prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice are set to face Price in trial Jan. 19.
Price pleaded not guilty.
Q Net officials did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday.
