JRA: No Free Passes

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John Reeves wrote a new vetting policy that will keep JRA consultants from "serving two masters."

by Valerie Wells
Feb. 1, 2012

Don't pop in on the Jackson Redevelopment Authority asking board members to buy your property or hire you on the spot because you have a passion for a particular downtown project. From now on, expect them to vet you thoroughly first.

This did not happen in the past, board members say, and in the aftermath of developer TCI's failed attempt to build a convention center hotel, the JRA board wants everyone to disclose their connections and any conflicts of interest. The board voted Jan. 25 to pass a new policy that outlines a distinct process. No one gets a free pass.

"If a professional--a lawyer, an accountant, a CPA, an architect, an engineer, a financial consultant--if that person wants to do business with us, instead of popping in during a meeting, they will go through a process," JRA board member John Reeves said. Reeves heads up the board's long-range planning committee and spent the past month on steps for a new vetting process.

To get hired or to present a development proposal, the professional would first contact Executive Director Jason Brookins, who would then talk to the applicant. The next step would have the professional submit a resume, insurance and any other important paperwork that discloses conflicts or relationships. The executive director does an initial vetting of the applicant.

Next, the professional would work on a document outlining the scope of his or her services, including charges. Then, the executive director puts the item on the board's agenda. The chairman refers the item to the finance committee and possibly other committees. Then, the committees do a thorough vetting, both to make sure the professional is qualified and that the services are needed. At that point, the item goes back on the agenda and the board discusses and votes it up or down. If they vote in favor, the applicant gets a contract.

"The professional is working for us," Reeves said. "He works under the auspices of the executive director. So don't bill us for going to a city council meeting. Don't bill us--go through the executive director first." Invoices would also be vetted, and the JRA staff will parse out questions such as, "Why did that meeting take three hours?"

"Every board member knows what goes on every level," Reeves said. "This person cannot be paid by anyone else for this work. You don't want your professional serving two masters."

The board discussed that it's not unusual for a developer to pay a fee to a JRA consultant, and Reeves said that in many cases that is fine. "It's OK for a developer to pay our lawyers and financial consultants. The billing comes through us. There's never a question about who he's working for," Reeves said.

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