IBTS Will Administer Central City Services in Non-Political Manner, Spokesman Says

Photo: IBTS CFO Shyam Choudhary and Central program director David Ratcliff

CENTRAL — IBTS held grand opening ceremonies at noon Thursday for the new City of Central Municipal Services Center at 6703 Sullivan Road in the La Centrale Shopping Center.  IBTS will begin administering City Services in Central on Friday morning, July 1.

After the event, IBTS chief financial officer Shyam Choudhary told reporters that his organization will administer City Services in the City of Central in a non-political way.  Choudhary said IBTS will focus on providing quality services to the citizens of Central.

IBTS, which stands for the Institute for Building Technology and Safety, is a non-profit organization originally established by the National Governors Association.

The organization was awarded a $17 million, five-year contract by the City of Central ahead of three other firms, including CH2MHILL, which has had the contract for the past three years.

IBTS was the lowest of the four bidders, and the city is expected to save more than $2.5 million over the next five years, in comparison to what it was paying CH2MHILL.

During the selection process, IBTS made two important commitments.  Its representatives said the organization would be totally transparent, in accordance with its non-profit status.  It also said that the organization would return any profits made from the Central operation to the City or provide additional services, as determined by the City government.

Visitors toured IBTS’ offices after the ceremonies Thursday.  The organization seemed prepared to begin administering City Services on Friday morning, July 1, as required by the new contract.

Choudhary said a massive data transfer was scheduled to occur Thursday night, which will move all of the data in CH2MHILL’s computers over to those of IBTS.

One of the things that is unique about IBTS is its Board of Directors.  The five members of the Board represent five well-respected national organizations — the Council of State Governments, the International City/County Management Association, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, the National League of Cities, and the National Association of Counties.

David Ratliff, IBTS’ program manager for Central, will direct the new Municipal Services Center.  Ratcliff said IBTS will have about 20 employees in its Central office.  A couple of CH2MHILL staff members will move over to IBTS from CH2MHILL, Ratcliff said, to help smooth the transition.

Story and photo by Woody Jenkins of Central City News