The Live Oak City Council voted unanimously Thursday to renegotiate with OMI rather than put the contract out to bid. However, the city still has the option to bid the contract out should negotiations break down.

OMI is the private firm that performs all the city’s public works functions. The council had voted 3-2 earlier this year to request bids on the contract.

“This is certainly not a done deal,” said Councilman John Hale. “It’s an opportunity for OMI to make a presentation to the city. The door’s still wide open to go for bids to either have someone else bid on the contract or to let the city have it back.”

OMI and the city will sit down in workshops early next year to examine all aspects of the contract.

OMI representatives said that although the contract runs through Sept. 30, 2010, they are open to renegotiating the pact now.

“Rather than spending the time and money in going out for bids, we’d like to sit down and go over specific concerns (the council) has,” said Richard D’Amato II, OMI’s global director of business development. “Bottom line is we really value this partnership.”

Council President Mark Stewart said his concerns were for the employees of OMI. He said if another private company were to come in, it is not guaranteed how many current employees will keep their job.

“We need to determine what our problem is,” said Stewart. “We need a more definitive scope of work, something we can monitor.”

Council member Bennie Thomas said he wants the negotiations to be open to everyone.

“We (the council) didn’t know anything about the contract in 2005 (when it was first negotiated),” said Thomas. “If we look at it again, I want everyone involved.”

Per the current agreement, the city is required to give OMI 120 days notice before putting the contract out for bids. OMI agreed to reduce that to 90 days to allow for the renegotiation.

OMI was originally awarded the city contract for public works on a no-bid basis.