Purchasing move to save Snellville more than $20K

In an effort to save taxpayer funds, the Snellville City Council voted Monday to independently purchase specialty items for the proposed Towne Green renovation instead of buying them through contractors. The move is expected to save $20,431, including $700 in shipping costs.

Councilman Bobby Howard, who proposed the plan, said contractors typically raise the cost of such items in excess of 50 percent. The plan would essentially eliminate the middleman.

“This is all about financial responsibility,” said Howard, who works with contractors in his job outside the Council. “When the opportunity to save the taxpayer money is present we need to look at every option to do that.”